Matthew Wade, who captained Australia during the last tour to India, on Tuesday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing his 13-year career to an end. However, the attacking left-handed batsman will continue to operate in domestic white-ball cricket, the BBL, and overseas franchise leagues. Wade has also decided to move into coaching, having already secured the role of wicketkeeping and fielding coach for Australia in the T20I series against Pakistan.
Wade, who has always been tipped for a spot in Australia’s XI in all formats, has finally cemented his place in Australia’s T20I squad by playing a key role in the team’s maiden T20 World Cup win in the UAE in 2021. Wade’s knock against Pakistan (41* off 17 balls) in the semi-final of that edition proved his authority as a finisher. He was trusted to continue his duties in the next two T20 World Cups in 2022 and 2024. But it was clear selectors were ready to look beyond him after he was ignored on last month’s tour of England
Wade represented Australia in 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20Is, scoring 1613, 1867 and 1202 runs respectively.
‘After the T20 World Cup I knew my international career was over’: Wade
“I was fully aware that my international days were likely to end at the end of the last T20 World Cup. I have always discussed my international retirement and coaching with George. “I did.” [Bailey] and andrew [McDonald] It’s been the last six months,” Wade said.
“I have been interested in coaching for the past few years and thankfully some great opportunities have come my way, so I am very grateful and excited.”
“As my international career comes to a close, I would like to thank all my Australian teammates, staff and coaches,” he said. “I enjoyed the most challenging ride possible at international level. I wouldn’t have been able to do as much as I did without the good people around me.”
“I would also like to thank my family, my mother, father and sisters, who have spent countless hours taking me to games and training over the years.
“Lastly, to Julia and my children. I cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made to allow me to pursue my dreams. Words cannot express my gratitude to them. Without their support, none of this would have happened.” ”
The eternal battle with Wade’s successor
Wade, who recently completed his Level 3 coaching qualification and hopes to become a head coach one day, supports Josh Inglis to take over as T20I wicketkeeper. The two will collaborate in the upcoming Pakistan series.
Originally from Tasmania, Wade moved to Victoria as a teenager when he found himself competing with Tim Paine for the top wicketkeeping position. He won four Sheffield Shield titles with his home state, two of them as captain, before returning to Tasmania in 2017.
He made his debut in T20Is and ODIs in the summer of 2011-2012, receiving the baggy green for Barbados in 2012 after Brad Haddin withdrew for personal reasons. Wade scored his first Test century in his third match in the Dominican, successfully keeping Haddin out of the team until 2013.
Over the years he has competed for the wicketkeeper spot with Paine, Haddin and Peter Neville in various formats. An outstanding season in the Sheffield Shield in 2017-18 led to Test selection as a specialist batsman in the 2019 Ashes.
