Hobart, 17 September (H.S.): Experienced Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has announced his retirement from Big Bash League (BBL) cricket and will now devote his full attention to his coaching career. Wade is currently also serving as the Australian men’s team’s limited-overs batting coach.

Wade had also been working with the Australian men’s team as a consultant last year while continuing to play in the Big Bash League for the Hobart Hurricanes. However, ahead of the 2026-27 season, he has decided to step away from playing cricket altogether and focus entirely on his coaching responsibilities.

Wade retired from international cricket following the 2024 T20 World Cup. With his departure from the Big Bash League, he brings an end to his playing career as one of the prominent figures in the competition’s history.

Wade began his BBL career with the Melbourne Stars during the inaugural 2011-12 season, where he played alongside legendary spinner Shane Warne. He made 16 appearances for the Stars and 13 for the Melbourne Renegades. He then returned to his home state of Tasmania and went on to represent the Hobart Hurricanes in 90 matches.

Wade ranks ninth among the leading run-scorers in Big Bash League history and fifth among wicketkeepers with the most dismissals. Ben McDermott and D’Arcy Short have scored more runs than Wade for the Hurricanes, but no other batter has surpassed his career-best unbeaten 130 for the franchise.

Wade also played a key role in the Hurricanes’ first Big Bash League title triumph. The team won the competition for the first time during the 2024-25 season.

Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan, in an official statement, said, “Wadey was one of those cricketers you always wanted in your team. Whenever he took the field, he competed with everything he had and possessed the ability to change the course of a match very quickly.”

He added, “But just as importantly, he gave a great deal to the players around him. His cricketing mind is exceptional, and he was always willing to share his knowledge and challenge his teammates to become better players.”

Vaughan said, “There are several players within our system who have benefited from playing alongside Matt, and I believe that will be an important part of his legacy here.”

Hurricanes High Performance Manager Saliann Beams also praised Wade’s contribution. She said, “Matthew has been an immensely important figure for the Hurricanes and Tasmanian cricket for a long time. His record speaks for itself, but statistics do not always capture the impact he has had on the players and people around him.”

She added, “He has been a tremendous competitor, leader and player who set exceptionally high standards. His experience at the highest level of the game has been incredibly valuable to our players.”

Beams said, “Matt has given the Hurricanes a great deal, and we are extremely grateful for his contribution to the club.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar