Matthew Wade retires: Australian wicketkeeper's top 5 moments in international cricket

Australia veteran wicketkeeper Matthew Wade announced his retirement from international cricket after a memorable career that saw silverware and personal highs. The left-handed batter was an absolute team player, who played all kinds of roles for his side over the course of his career, showing his versatility.

Wade's career lasted 13 years after his debut in 2011. The wicketkeeper played all formats for Australia and will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, with an eye on a future as a coach.

"I'm officially retiring. It's been an ongoing discussion for pretty much every tour or every World Cup that I've been on in the last three or four years. It's been a really fluent conversation that I've had with George (Bailey, chief selector) and 'Ronnie' (coach Andrew McDonald) over the last six months or since the last World Cup finished," Wade formally announced his retirement in an interview with cricket.com.au.

On that note, let us take a look at Matthew Wade's top 5 moments in international cricket.

#1 Player of the match on ODI debut against India

After a routine T20I debut batting down the order, he had an opportunity to open the batting alongside David Warner during the 2012 Commonwealth Bank tri-series clash against India. The left-handed batter made the most of the opportunity in the rain-curtailed encounter.

Rain made its appearance after the first powerplay when Wade was batting on 21. He switched gears after 18 overs were lost and ended up scoring 67 runs off 69 deliveries. Australia won the clash comfortably and Wade was adjudged player of the match for his impactful fifty.

#2 Hundred on Test return in 2019 Ashes

Wade had a prolific start to his red-ball career, recording a ton in his third appearance, and hitting an average of 45 after 10 matches, along with another ton in the subcontinent. However, he spiralled down later, with his average falling below 30 after 38 appearances.

He made his return in the 2019 Ashes series opener in Edgbaston and recorded only 1 run in the first innings. In the second essay, he notched a sublime hundred, ending with 110 runs off 143 deliveries. He also scored a hundred in the series finale at The Oval as the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

#3 Screamer of a catch against Sri Lanka at the MCG

Wade was a reliable presence with the gloves. He was at his athletic best, with the reflexes intact, even in his twilight years.

One of his finest moments as a wicketkeeper came during a Test against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Kumar Sangakkara had attempted a pull shot off Mitchell Johnson, but could only get a top edge, which flew over Wade's head.

The wicketkeeper turned around and sprinted, watching the ball all the while, and then putting in a well-timed full-length dive to complete the catch.

#4 Sledging battles against India

If there is anything Wade is renowned for apart from his batting and wicketkeeping is his sharp mouth. The wicketkeeper has been embroiled in several verbal battles with his opposition over the years, but the most memorable ones have to be against India, especially Rishabh Pant.

“You’re 25 kilos overweight. Are you 20 kilos, 25 or 30 kilos overweight?” Wade could be heard saying through the stump mic during the Boxing Day Test in 2020.

He even sledged himself during the second T20I against India in Sydney, when he attempted a stumping after Dhawan had his foot in the air. Replays showed that the bails were off after the foot was in the crease, which led to Wade remarking, "Not Dhoni, not quick enough like Dhoni."

#5 Heroics in the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final

Arguably Matthew Wade's biggest contribution in national colors came when the team needed him the most. Chasing in the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai against an in-form and well-oiled Pakistani outfit, it was the wicketkeeper's brilliance in the dying stages of the match that made the difference.

Wade survived a scare after being dropped by Hasan Ali in the deep when 20 were required off 10 deliveries. He made the most of his second life by smoking Shaheen Afridi for three consecutive sixes to wrap up the match with an over remaining.

Australia went on to beat New Zealand in the final to win the T20 World Cup for the first time in their history.