Matthew Wade calls time on Big Bash League career to focus on coaching

Former Australia wicketkeeper batter Matthew Wade has announced his retirement from the Big Bash League (BBL), the country’s domestic T20 competition, to focus on his coaching career. Wade has already served as Australia's white-ball batting coach and was with the national team last year while still playing for Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.

However, he has now decided to step away from playing altogether ahead of the 2026-27 season. Wade was a key figure in the competition's history, having begun his career playing for Melbourne Stars in the inaugural season in 2011-12, where he shared the dressing room with the legendary Shane Warne. 

He played 16 games for Stars and later 13 for Melbourne Renegades before returning to his home state, Tasmania, and playing 90 matches with Hurricanes, the second most in club history.

The 38-year-old is the ninth-highest run scorer in the history of BBL with 2978 runs from 119 matches (113 innings) at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 142.35 with one hundred and 19 fifties to his name. Wade also inflicted 70 dismissals (61 catches, 9 stumpings) in his BBL career as a wicketkeeper and ranks fifth on the all-time list.

He finished his career as the third-highest run scorer for Hurricanes after Ben McDermott and D'Arcy Short. Wade’s career-best innings of 130* (61) against Adelaide Strikers in 2020 remains the highest score for Hurricanes in BBL history. He was also a key member of their maiden BBL title in 2024-25.

Hobart Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan hailed Wade for his competitive spirit and the legacy he leaves behind for the players.

Hurricanes' coach extols Wade

"Wadey is one of those cricketers you always wanted on your side. 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,” said Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan in a statement.

Vaughan also revealed how Wade’s influence on his teammates helped them become better players.

"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,” he added.

Wade earlier retired from international cricket in 2024 following a career spanning 225 appearances for Australia across all three formats.