Matthew Wade retires from BBL to take up full-time coaching role

Matthew Wade has confirmed his retirement from the Big Bash League ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will devote himself entirely to a full-time coaching position with the Australian men's side as their white-ball batting coach. Wade had already been working in an advisory capacity alongside the national squad during the previous season.

Across 119 BBL matches for Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes, Wade accumulated 2,978 runs at a strike rate of 142.35. His nine seasons with the Hurricanes stand as the defining chapter of his BBL career, with 2,446 runs placing him third on their all-time run-scoring list. His unbeaten 130 remains the highest individual score recorded by any Hurricanes batter.

Wade's international playing career concluded in October 2024 following the 2024 T20 World Cup. Hobart Hurricanes chief executive Salliann Beams said his influence on players around him would be a significant part of his legacy.