Matthew Wade’s red-ball career will end with the Sheffield Shield final, after 36 Tests and four hundreds.
The 36-year-old is retiring from red-ball cricket after a last season with his home state, but he still hopes to play for Australia in the T20 World Cup this year.
Wade took the choice earlier this month and informed his Tasmanian teammates prior to their match against South Australia, which clinched their position in the Shield final against Western Australia in Perth.
“Firstly, I would like to thank my family, my wife Julia, and kids Winter, Goldie, and Duke, for the sacrifices they have made throughout my career as I travelled Australia and the world as a red-ball cricketer,” he said.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that the long-form game provides, and although I will continue to play white-ball cricket, wearing the baggy green while playing for my country remains a highlight of my career.
“I am grateful to all of my teammates throughout my career, along with Cricket Victoria for providing me with the foundations to grow as a first-class cricketer, and Cricket Tasmania for supporting me in finishing my career as a cricketer in my home state.”
Wade departed Tasmania to begin his cricket career in Victoria, and he made his Test debut against the West Indies in Bridgetown in 2012, scoring his first century in the third match of the series.
He had a rollercoaster ride of being in and out of the team, but he was recalled for the 2019 Ashes in England following a string of Shield runs, and after a two-year Test exile, he struck century at Edgbaston and The Oval to help Australia retain the urn.
After a home series against India in 2021, Wade was replaced by Alex Carey and redirected his focus to white-ball cricket, which he will continue to play, remaining in the running for the T20 World Cup being contested in the US and Caribbean.
He is also signed with the Hobart Hurricanes for another two seasons.
