After playing all three formats for Australia, wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade retired from international cricket and became a coach on Tuesday. The 36-year-old played 36 Tests, 97 ODIs, and 92 Twenty20s for Australia, with his last T20 World Cup appearance earlier this year.
“I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup,” the lefthander told Cricket Australia.
“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.”
He coaches Tasmanian youth and second XI teams in the winter and aspires to expand in the Australian system while playing in the summer.
Over a 13-year international career, Wade played many roles for Australia, but his most notable innings was an undefeated 41 in the 2021 T20 World Cup semis to overcome Pakistan. Wade returned to the team for the 2019 Ashes series, which Australia won 2-2 after Brad Haddin and Tim Paine kept him out.
A shade under 30, the Tasmanian scored two of his four Test hundreds in that series and 1,613 runs in his career.
“Matthew was a much-loved teammate in Australian teams across all formats over the past 13 years,” stated Ben Oliver of Cricket Australia.
“His resilience and adaptability were a feature throughout his career, and he should be incredibly proud of the impact that he had at international level.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “Congratulations to Matthew on a great international career, where his brilliance and agility have made him a standout in all formats.
“I’m delighted he will add to his massive contribution by coaching the next generation of stars and also continuing to light up the Big Bash with the Hobart Hurricanes.”
