Veteran Australian Wicket-keeper Batsman “match winner” Matthew Wade said he may be taking part in his final ICC tournament f0r the baggy greens. While speaking to the Unplayable podcast, Wade revealed that ICC T20 world cup 2022 in his home country could be the last time he represents Australia in a major ICC event.
His heroics during last year’s T2o World cup semi-final against Pakistan will be remembered as one of the best innings in the history of the tournament. Pakistan were in a commanding situation and were favourites to enter in what would have been their third T20 WC final but Wade had other plans.
Nothing was stopping Matthew Wade from a chance to taste #T20WorldCup glory 😤
More 👉 https://t.co/WfeL3Qpz27 pic.twitter.com/wvUhhpSvwR
— ICC (@ICC) November 18, 2021
He came to bat in a critical situation when the Aussies were 5 down for 96 runs. They were chasing a total of 177 runs and the match was on Pakistan’s grip until Matthew Wade arrived. He partnered with big Marcus Stoinis for the 6th wicket and the duo amassed 81 runs together to pull off an unthinkable win.
The left-handed batter first sent the Pakistani bowlers to the stands and then forced the opposition to pack their bags and head back home. Wade put together 41 runs off 17 balls and helped Australia enter their second T20 World cup final and first since 2010.
Australia eventually defeated New Zealand in the final to win their first world cup in the shortest format and Wade has expressed his feelings about defending the title at home soil.
“That’ll be my next motivation – hopefully get to that World Cup, defend the title and then I can sail off into the sunset. I certainly won’t be playing international cricket beyond that point. That would be my goal from here.
Ahead of Australia’s opener against New Zealand on 22nd October, Wade looks like that most in-form batter for the aussies. Since his blistering Semi-final innings against Pakistan, the 34-year-old has played in 18 T20Is, averaging 78.75 and maintained a strike rate of 158.29.
He also mentioned about how much he values the time he has left to play, saying it is a “Bonus” as he could be hanging his boots any time soon. Wade also acknowledged the importance of passing the baton to Josh Inglis in near future and he has no intentions of blocking a youngster’s way into the team.
I’m no closer to the end than I was 12 months ago but for some reason, last (World Cup), I thought I’d never play another ICC event and now I’m here again and I’m playing. So I’m kind of like, ‘Well, if this is it, this is it. If it’s not, it’s not’.
he also added
“I’ve spoken that it could be my last tournament – It may be, it may not be – I don’t know. I just go in (thinking) every game is a bonus. If they feel like there’s a role for me to play, I’ll play it. If ‘Ingo’ (Inglis, Wade’s back-up for this World Cup) is the next man and they want to get him game time, then I’m more than happy to walk away as well. I don’t want to really be holding people up.”
via Unplayable podcast
If Matthew Wade didn’t score 41 off 17 runs last year in T20 world cup Semis, Australia wouldn’t have ended up in the final. He was a massive player for them last year and it remains to be seen if Matthew Wade can put the same impact.
Also Read – Top 5 youngsters who can make a strong impact in ICC T20 World cup 2022
