Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade reminded everyone that he’s still got plenty left in the tank with a blistering century in a domestic 50-over match between Tasmania and Victoria in Brisbane. The 37-year-old, who retired from international cricket in October 2024, hammered 105 runs off just 68 deliveries in what was a vintage display of power-hitting.
Wade’s Blazing Knock Lifts Tasmania to 381
Coming in at No.6 with Tasmania at 135/4, Wade launched an assault for the ages. He cracked 8 fours and 6 sixes, turning the momentum completely in Tasmania’s favour. His knock was instrumental in helping the team post a massive total of 381.
This was only Wade’s second 50-over game of the season, having scored 40 just a few days earlier against New South Wales. Not only is he still contributing with the bat, but he’s also been donning the gloves behind the stumps — proving he’s far from done in domestic cricket.
The explosive innings was further supported by Mitchell Owen, who opened the batting and smashed a quickfire 53 off 21 balls. The 24-year-old, currently with Punjab Kings in the IPL, showed his T20 credentials in the 50-over format with an aggressive start.
Coaching Stint with Gujarat Titans
While Wade has one foot in the coaching world, performances like today’s show he’s still a game-changer on the field. In the 2025 IPL season, he served as an assistant coach for Gujarat Titans. His stint was a successful one — GT finished third on the points table with 18 points and qualified for the playoffs before being knocked out by Mumbai Indians in the eliminator.
Wade has also continued playing in franchise leagues, including the 2024/25 Big Bash League and the 2025 ILT20 in the UAE, showing his adaptability and hunger for the game.
Meanwhile, Victoria’s bowling unit struggled throughout the innings, with fast bowler Mitch Perry enduring a nightmare spell — conceding 101 runs in just 9.3 overs.
With form like this, Wade’s value in Australian domestic cricket remains sky-high, whether as a batter, keeper, mentor, or all three. His transition into coaching may be underway, but clearly, his bat still has a few more fireworks left in it.
