Matthew Wade announced retirement from all forms of international cricket and will take up a coaching role with Australia for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.
The 36-year-old made his debut for Australia in 2011, and his last game came against India in the T20 World Cup 2024. Wade played 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20Is, scoring 4,682 runs with five centuries and 19 half-centuries. The wicketkeeper-batter also took 240 catches and 26 stumpings, and he was also part of the Australian side that won their maiden T20 World Cup title in 2021.
Wade will continue his service for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League and be available for franchise leagues worldwide. Wade confessed that he believed his days as an Australia player were over after the T20 World Cup earlier in the year. He also said that coaching after retirement was always in his plans.
Wade also thanked all his teammates, staff, coaches and family. “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 to be part of Australia coaching staff for Pakistan series
Wade will work alongside Andre Borovec, Australia’s interim coach for the upcoming Pakistan white-ball series. The three-match series will commence on November 14 in Brisbane, and will be followed by three ODIs, for which Wade will again be a part of the coaching setup as Andrew McDonald and his support staff won't be available, preparing for the Test series against India instead.
"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, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"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."
