Matthew Wade Retires from International Cricket, Set to Join Coaching Staff

Australia’s 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has officially retired from international cricket and will be joining Australia’s coaching panel. He will serve as an assistant coach for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

Throughout his international career, Wade played 36 Test matches, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is. He was instrumental in Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup victory, notably scoring a quickfire 41 off 17 balls against Pakistan to help secure Australia’s win.

36 Test matches. 97 ODIs. 92 T20 Internationals.

Congratulations to Matthew Wade on an outstanding international cricket career! pic.twitter.com/SDWl1OhqZC

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) October 29, 2024

Announcing his retirement, Wade shared that he would be taking on the role of keeping and fielding coach for the Australian team in the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan next month. "I’m officially retiring," Wade confirmed to Cricket Australia.

Wade played his last international match during the T20 World Cup against India. Reflecting on his decision, he said, "After the last T20 World Cup, I knew my international career was nearing its end. I had been discussing my retirement and transition into coaching with George Bailey and Andrew McDonald for quite some time."

Upon stepping into his new coaching role, Wade said, "Coaching has been on my mind for the last few years, and I’m grateful and thrilled for the incredible opportunities that have come my way."

He further added, "If we had won the last World Cup and I had managed to score some runs, things might have been different. I might have continued playing."