Matthew Wade has his sights set on the T20 World Cup 2024 following his retirement from first-class cricket on Friday, March 15. The Australian cricketer has been a formidable presence in the T20I arena, amassing 1175 runs from 64 innings since his debut in 2011. His pivotal contributions were instrumental in Australia’s triumphant campaign in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the 2021 edition of the tournament.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming World Cup, Matthew Wade stated, “It’s an exciting time to be in the T20 squad, and I can’t wait to get started at the World Cup, to be honest.”
Wade’s statistics against India underscore his prowess, with 487 runs from 16 matches at an impressive average of 60.87 and a striking strike rate of 157.60. Reflecting on his transition away from red-ball cricket, Wade believes that focusing solely on the T20 format will bolster his physical condition and extend his career longevity.
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“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,” Matthew Wade remarked, highlighting his enduring appreciation for Test cricket.
Matthew Wade set to retire from red-ball cricket after the Shield final.
Wade will continue playing white-ball formats and is expected to be part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.
This decision he has taken to prolong his White ball Cricket.pic.twitter.com/iOQ6Z4haX9
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) March 15, 2024
He added, “Not playing the longer format of the game will give me an opportunity to get stronger, get in the gym a bit more, and have some longevity in that format.”
Wade’s Test career, while marked by flashes of brilliance, was characterized by sporadic opportunities. In 36 Tests, he accumulated 1613 runs at an average of 29.87, with four centuries and five fifties to his credit.
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His retirement from first-class cricket came after representing Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield fixture against South Australia at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart earlier in March, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in his cricketing journey.
