Aussie World Cup winner Matthew Wade has finally called time on his international white-ball career having confirmed his move into coaching. Wade played 225 international games for Australia across all three formats, but knew his career came to an end when Australia were knocked out of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
And Wade officially called an end to his time in the national team in white-ball cricket, having already retired from the red-ball format, as he moves into a new phase of his career. Wade will still play for his state and also help Australia's coaching team for the upcoming One Day International series against Pakistan.
"I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup," he said. "My international retirement and coaching has been a constant conversation with George (Bailey) and Andrew (McDonald) over the past six months.
"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. I will continue to play BBL and the odd franchise league over the summer months, but around those commitments as a player I am investing heavily in my coaching."
Wade has already coached the Tasmanian youth and second XI sides this year and will join stand-in coach Andre Borovec on the Aussie coaching staff in the coming month. "Matthew was a much-loved teammate in Australian teams across all formats over the past 13 years," national teams boss John Oliver said upon Wade's retirement.
"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. We look forward to Matthew drawing on his wealth of experience as he transitions into coaching."
Wade had a successful career representing his nation having played 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20s. The wicket-keeper and batter won the 2021 T20 World Cup with Australia and scored 1,867 runs in ODIs for his country. Wade was always considered a team player, who managed to bat wherever needed in the line-up, and was praised for giving his all when wearing the baggy green.
Matthew Wade had his best year in Tests in 2019 when he batted in the middle-order before putting his hand up when Australia desperately needed an opener in the 20-21 series against India, which didn’t go well for him. Ultimate team man to the core, which should be his legacy
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 29, 2024
Matthew Wade was a bloody good cricketer, could absolutely belt the ball and was a terrific gloveman. A good knockabout bloke too.
Will never forget the overs he bowled in Hobart against Sri Lanka.
Fantastic career!
— John Donohoe (@jdonohoe12) October 29, 2024
Matthew Wade, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, has announced retirement from international cricket.
Wade featured in 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20Is. pic.twitter.com/wLI8UjvPF5
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 29, 2024
Speaking to SEN Radio, Wade admitted he knew his last game was during the T20 World Cup. "I've always been toying with it, not so much myself, but whether the team would was going to move forward with me in the plans," he said on Tuesday. But over the last two-three years I've been in conversation with Andrew McDonald and George Bailey as we go through each series of where the team is at, and where my personal performances are at.
"I probably knew at the end of the World Cup this time. When I walked off the ground in India. When we lost there and we didn't qualify, I knew then my international days were probably done…that was probably when the decision hit home."
