After 119 matches across three clubs, Matthew Wade has played his last BBL game

Former Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has called time on his Big Bash career nearly 15 years after his first BBL fixture.

Wade, who retired from international cricket in October 2024, has stepped away from the Hobart Hurricanes following nine seasons in purple.

The decision marks the end of Wade’s 119-game tenure across three Big Bash clubs, having played for Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades before making the move to the Hurricanes.

Matthew Wade’s BBL Career:

Matches: 119

 

Runs: 2978

 

Strike Rate: 142.35

 

Average: 30.38

 

50s: 19

 

100s: 1

 

HS: 130no

 

Dismissals: 70

 

Titles: 1 (BBL|14)

Cricket Tasmania general manager Salliann Beams praised the 38-year-old for the impact he’s had on the club, including his role in the organisation’s first Big Bash title in BBL|14.

“Matthew has been an incredibly important figure for the Hurricanes and Tasmanian cricket over a long period of time,” Beams said in a statement.

“His record speaks for itself, but what doesn’t always show up in the numbers is the influence he has had on the players and people around him.

“He has been a fierce competitor, a leader and someone who has always demanded high standards, while his experience at the highest level of the game has been invaluable to our playing group.”

Wade sends four sixes into the Hobart night sky

Born in Tasmania, Wade moved to Victoria as a teenager and started his BBL tenure with the Stars in the inaugural edition of the tournament, playing in the team’s first ever match against Sydney Thunder in December 2011.

Following three seasons in green, Wade made the move to their cross-town rivals in BBL|04, representing the Renegades before joining the Hurricanes in 2017.

A dynamic left-hand batter who has occupied most spots in the order, he compiled 2,978 runs across his Big Bash journey and sits ninth on the BBL’s all-time run-scorers’ list.

He is one of just three players to have scored over 2,000 runs for the Hurricanes with 2,446, only behind D’Arcy Short (2,706) and Ben McDermott (3,184), and his 130 not out against Adelaide Strikers in BBL|09 stands as the men’s side’s highest individual score.

Wonder Wade annihilates Strikers in maiden BBL ton

The prolific gloveman also completed 70 dismissals leaving him fifth on the wicketkeepers’ list, eclipsed by only Sam Harper (79), Jimmy Peirson (90), Josh Inglis (90) and Josh Philippe (110).

Known as a tenacious competitor, Hurricanes’ men’s head coach Jeff Vaughan commended Wade for the nine summers he spent with his squad.

“‘Wadey’ is one of those cricketers you always wanted on your side,” Vaughan said.

“He competed incredibly hard every time he walked onto the field and had the ability to change a game very quickly, but equally important has been what he has passed on to the players around him.

“He has a fantastic cricket brain and has always been willing to share his knowledge and challenge those around him to get better.

“There are a lot of players within our system who have benefited from playing alongside Matt and I think that will be a significant part of his legacy here.”

Outside of the BBL, Wade played 225 games across all formats for his country, making four Test hundreds and a sole century in one-day internationals.

Arguably his finest moment for Australia came within the 2021 T20 World Cup, when he made a 17-ball 41 against Pakistan in the semi-final, proving pivotal to the side’s successful quest for a maiden men’s T20 World Cup title in the UAE.

Amazing Wade and superb Stoinis put Pakistan on ice

Since stepping away from international cricket Wade has transitioned into coaching throughout the Australian men’s set-up, a pathway he’ll continue to pursue following his retirement from the Big Bash, recently becoming the national men’s side’s white-ball batting coach. 

The move means he’s also pulled the curtain down on representing Tasmania in the One-Day Cup.

Wade had previously featured in 10 one-day matches since finishing up his first-class career in March 2024, but the veteran will not play for the Tigers again.

He ends a 19-year domestic career with five state titles, all won while he was playing for Victoria, including four Sheffield Shield triumphs (2008-09, 2009-10, 2014-15 and 2015-16) and an 50-over trophy (2010-11).

Matthew Wade and David Saker celebrate claiming the Sheffield Shield following the 2015-2016 season // Getty

With Wade removed from their squad, the Hurricanes have currently filled 10 of 18 allocated spots on a club’s BBL list.

Australian white-ball star Adam Zampa was announced as one of their new recruits for the upcoming season last week, with the club luring one of the league’s hottest free agents on a two-year deal.

The core of their batting line-up is also secure with Tim David, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Mitch Owen, Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster all returning in BBL|16.

Hobart Hurricanes BBL|16 squad (so far)

Contracted for BBL|16: Nikhil Chaudhary (BBL|17), Tim David (BBL|16), Nathan Ellis (BBL|17), Ben McDermott (BBL|17), Riley Meredith (BBL|17), Mitch Owen (BBL|17), Billy Stanlake (BBL|16), Jake Weatherald (BBL|16), Beau Webster (BBL|17), Adam Zampa (BBL|17)

 

Uncontracted: Rehan Ahmed (England), Marcus Bean, Jackson Bird, Hugo Burdon, Iain Carlisle, Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh), Chris Jordan (England), Will Prestwidge, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Mac Wright

 

Head coach: Jeff Vaughan