Citing personal and family reasons, Australia wicketkeeper-batsman and Victoria skipper Matthew Wade has said he’ll return to his native state Tasmania after the conclusion of the ongoing cricket season.
The 29-year-old led Victoria to back to back Sheffield Shield titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16. The left-handed batsman was instrumental in both the campaigns especially during the 2014-14 season, where he scored 572 runs at 57.2.
Speaking about his plan, Wade said:
“I am currently in discussions with Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria and Cricket Tasmania about a possible move back to Tasmania next season for personal and family reasons.”.
“My wife Julia and I now have a young daughter and both of our families are based in Tasmania so we would like to be closer to them. I’m extremely grateful to Cricket Victoria for the opportunities they have given me and also for supporting me in exploring this option,” he added.
Tony Dodemaide, Cricket Victoria’s chief executive, confirmed the news and expressed disappointment on losing out on one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen in Australia.
“We can confirm we are in early discussions in regards to Matthew’s wish to move closer to his family and respect this,” Dodemaide said.
“We’re naturally disappointed at the prospect of losing our Victorian Bushrangers captain after back to back Shield victories. We will work closely with Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania to achieve an appropriate outcome for all parties,” he added.
Meanwhile. Andrew Dykes, Tasmania’s cricket general manager, is confident the Tasmania-born player would be able to make a move to Tasmania despite the ongoing negotiations between Australian Cricketers’ Association and Cricket Australia over Memorandum of Understanding, future contracts and other financial matters.
“Due to the ongoing ACA and CA memorandum of understanding negotiations, we are unable to progress any further with state contract negotiations,” Dykes said while speaking to The Mercury.
“Matt is very keen to relocate back to Tasmania for family reasons, so we will continue ongoing discussions with him in the coming months. Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia are aware of the discussions,” he added.
Australia’s first-choice gloveman played only one List A match for his native state when he represented the Tasmania Tigers in the 2006–07 Ford Ranger One-Day Cup season. With opportunities to play regularly looking bleak due to the presence of Tim Paine, Wade moved to Victoria in the 2007–08 season.