Matthew Wade Retires, Ends 13-Year International Career

Matthew Wade has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a distinguished 13-year career. The 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who played a pivotal role in Australia’s T20 World Cup victory in 2021 will transition to coaching as he joins the national team as an assistant coach. Wade will begin his coaching role next month focusing on wicketkeeping and fielding for the T20 series against Pakistan.

Reflecting on his decision, Wade explained that he had been discussing retirement for several years with each tour and World Cup prompting new thoughts on stepping away. He remarked, “If we had gone further in the last World Cup, maybe things would be different,” and pointed to Australia’s early exit from the T20 World Cup in June as a key factor in his choice.

After years of contemplation, Wade felt confident that both he and Cricket Australia had reached a natural, mutual understanding about his retirement. Throughout his international career, Wade contributed as a middle-order batsman in 36 Test matches and appeared in 189 limited-overs games. Known for his adaptability and resilience, Wade also took on a leadership role by serving as Australia’s T20 captain from December 2020 to February 2024.

As he moves forward, Matthew Wade aims to leverage his extensive on-field experience to develop the next generation of Australian cricketers. His coaching will particularly focus on enhancing skills in wicketkeeping and fielding, areas where he excelled during his own career. Wade’s retirement marks the conclusion of a remarkable era in Australian cricket but his continued involvement as a coach ensures that he will keep influencing the game for years to come.