Matthew Wade set to retire from first-class cricket after Sheffield Shield final

Matthew Wade has announced that the upcoming Sheffield Shield final between Tasmania and Western Australia in Perth will be the last red-ball game of his career, as he has decided to focus more on his white-ball prospects going forward. 

Wade is likely to be part of Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup in June, even though it’s not sure if he will be picked ahead of Josh Inglis in the first XI. Wade also has an IPL contract with Gujarat Titans but will miss at least two games for the Shubman Gill-led franchise due to the clash with the Sheffield Shield final.

"Firstly, I would like to thank my family, my wife Julia, and kids Winter, Goldie, and Duke, for the sacrifices they have made throughout my career as I travelled Australia and the world as a red ball cricketer," Wade said in a statement. 

"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.

"I am grateful to all of my team-mates throughout my career, along with Cricket Victoria for providing me with the foundations to grow as a first-class cricketer, and Cricket Tasmania for supporting me in finishing my career as a cricketer in my home state."

Wade has already played 165 first-class games in his career and the upcoming final in Perth will be his 166th. Out of which, he has represented Australia 36 times in Tests, accumulating 1613 runs at an average of 29.87. Australia’s 2021 Test against India in Brisbane remains his last red-ball appearance for the national team.

"Red-ball cricket has always been my number one and favourite format. What I'm going to miss is sitting down after four days of really grinding it out in a first-class game and having a beer with your teammates. I've played franchise leagues around the world and you don't get that feeling,” Wade said at a press conference in Hobart.

Wade, however, will continue to ply his trade in the shortest format, having been contracted with Hobart Hurricanes for the next two seasons. He also contracts in many leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League. 

"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. I've got two years but I'd love to play longer if I could. I feel fresh. There certainly isn't 'I'm not playing well enough or I don't feel I can contribute enough'. It's more the younger players have managed to shove me out the door,” Wade said in a press conference.