Australia’s T20 World Cup 2021-winning member wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. A few weeks after retirement, Wade will switch to the coaching role when Australia play a three-T20I series at home against Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan next month.
Wade's last appearance in international cricket was in T20 World Cup 2024. Against India, he departed after scoring a single. He was not up to the mark in the tournament and knew his time in international cricket is done.
"I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup. My international retirement and coaching has been a constant conversation with George [Bailey] and Andrew [McDonald] over the past six months," Wade said in a statement.
"Coaching has been on my radar over the last few years and thankfully some great opportunities have come my way, for which I am very grateful and excited."
Wade to continue BBL career, thanks family
Wade will continue to represent Hobart Hurricanes in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL). He thanked his teammates, staff, coaches and his family for supporting him throughout his career.
“I will continue to play BBL and the odd franchise league over the summer months but around those commitments as a player I am investing heavily in my coaching.
“As my international career closes, I want to thank all of my Australian team mates, staff and coaches. I enjoyed the ride as challenging as it can be at international level. Without good people around me I would have never got as much out of myself as I did.
“I also thank my family, mum, dad and sisters for the countless hours they put in over the years getting me to games and training.
“Lastly to Julia and the kids. I can’t thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made for me to continue to pursue my dreams. No words can explain how grateful I am to them, none of this would have happened without their support.”
Wade’s international career in numbers
Wade made his international debut in a T20I against South Africa in 2011. In a matter of months, he made his ODI and Test debuts as well. In Tests, he has scored 1,613 runs from 36 games at an average of 29.87 including four centuries and five fifties. From 97 ODIs, he has 1,867 runs at an average of 26.29 including a century and 11 fifties. In T20Is, he has 1,202 runs from 68 innings at an average of 26.13 including three fifties. In international cricket, the 36-year-old has 240 catches and 26 stumpings.
