Matthew Wade retires from BBL to concentrate on coaching career

Matthew Wade has retired from Big Bash League cricket to focus on coaching, including his existing role as Australia’s white-ball batting coach.

The decision takes effect ahead of the 2026-27 season. Wade had been consulting with Australia’s men’s team during the previous year while continuing to play for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Wade retired from international cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup and now leaves the BBL as one of the competition’s most accomplished players. He began his career with the Melbourne Stars in the inaugural 2011-12 season, playing alongside Shane Warne. He also appeared 13 times for the Melbourne Renegades before returning to Tasmania to play 90 matches for the Hurricanes.

He ranks ninth in BBL run-scoring and fifth in dismissals. Only Ben McDermott and D’Arcy Short have scored more runs for the Hurricanes, while Wade’s unbeaten 130 remains the club’s highest individual score. He was also a key figure in their maiden BBL championship in 2024-25.

“Wadey is one of those cricketers you always wanted on your side,” Hurricanes coach Jeff 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.”

Hurricanes high-performance manager Salliann Beams also paid tribute to Wade.

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

“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.

“Matt has given an enormous amount to the Hurricanes and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he has contributed to the club.

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