Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has officially announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36. Following this significant decision, he will immediately take on a coaching role with the Australian men’s team, where he will participate in the upcoming T20 international series against Pakistan next month.
Despite stepping away from international play, Wade plans to continue his cricketing career in domestic leagues, specifically playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League and participating in various T20 global franchise tournaments.
Throughout his career, Wade has made a remarkable 225 international appearances for Australia across all formats. His last game was during the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup against India earlier this year. Recognizing the likelihood of his international days ending after the World Cup, Wade expressed his gratitude for the new coaching opportunities that have arisen over the months leading to his retirement.
In his international stint, Wade played 92 T20 matches, scoring 1,202 runs, and in One-Day Internationals, he accumulated 1,867 runs across 83 innings, including one century and 11 half-centuries. He has also appeared in 36 Test matches for Australia, contributing four centuries and being part of the 2019 Ashes squad. As a wicketkeeper, he achieved 240 catches and 26 stumpings throughout his international career.
This transition marks a new chapter for Wade, who now has the chance to impart his extensive knowledge and experience to the next generation of cricketers. The cricket community can look forward to seeing how he will shape the future of Australian cricket in his coaching role.
In summary, Matthew Wade’s retirement from international cricket opens exciting new horizons for him, both as a coach and as a player in domestic leagues, highlighting the continuous evolution of a sports career. His wealth of experience will undoubtedly benefit the Australian team in their future endeavors.
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