Former Australian Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has called time on the red-ball game but will continue playing cricket’s shorter formats.

The 36-year-old made the announcement late Friday ahead of the Sheffield Shield final next week where his native Tasmania meet Western Australia in what will be his 166th and last first-class match.

“I would like to thank my family, my wife Julia, and kids Winter, Goldie, and Duke, for the sacrifices they have made throughout my career, as I travelled Australia and the world as a red-ball cricketer,” Wade said in a statement.

“There certainly isn’t (an element of) ‘I’m not playing well enough or I don’t feel I can contribute enough’,” he said. “It’s more the younger players have managed to shove me out the door.”

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Matthew Wade, who played 36 Tests as both a wicketkeeper and specialist batter between 2012 and 2021, will continue to be available for one-day and Twenty20 cricket.

Wade has scored a total of 1613 runs in Test cricket, including four centuries.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that the long-form game provides, and although I will continue to play white ball cricket, wearing the Baggy Green while playing for my country remains a highlight of my career.”

“Not playing the longer format of the game will give me an opportunity to get stronger, get in the gym a bit more and have some longevity in that (shorter) format,” he concluded.

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