Matthew Wade announces retirement from Intl cricket with immediate effect as he switches to a coaching role.
Matthew Wade has announced his retirement from international cricket and will immediately transition into a coaching role with Australia.
Wade played for Australia in the T20 World Cup in June, and as he was left out of the squad for the September tour of the United Kingdom, it was assumed that the competition would be the last one he would play for his country. Following Tasmania’s run to the Sheffield Shield final, he announced his retirement from red-ball cricket in March.
Wade will still play for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL and in a few franchise events across the globe. While Andrew McDonald and his other assistants prepare for the Test series against India, he will now work with a relatively young Australia T20I team, who will be coached by Andre Borovec. During the ODI series, Wade will also interact informally with Australia’s coaching staff.
“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.
“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.”
Between 2011 and 2024, Wade represented Australia in 36 Test matches, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is. He played a crucial role in their 2021 T20 World Cup victory in the United Arab Emirates, when he established himself as a finisher by scoring an undefeated 41 off 17 balls against Pakistan in the semifinals.
“As my international career closes, I want to thank all of my Australian team-mates, staff and coaches,” he said. “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.”
“Congratulations to Matthew on what has been a wonderful international career during which his skill and versatility has made him an outstanding performer across all formats,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.
“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.”