Following the BBL|14 triumph, the Hobart Hurricanes can share that club stalwart Matthew Wade has extended his current deal for another season, keeping him part of the ‘Cane Train until BBL|16.
Wade, arguably one of Tasmania’s greatest cricketing exports, played a key part in bringing the Hurricanes their first-ever title last season and is excited to continue with the group that brought success to the Apple Isle for the first time.
“It was an easy decision to re-sign,” stated Wade.
“I obviously had one year to go next year, but everyone was locking in for two-to-three-year deals and with how well the group is going at the moment, I was really keen to stay involved and continue to play.
“Hopefully with some more success to come over the next few years now that I’ve signed on for as well, I really enjoy playing with this team.”
Since returning to the Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|07, Wade has been an instrumental factor in the ‘Cane Train’s batting line-up, batting everywhere from opening to his Australian T20 role in the lower order.
In his 79 games for the Hurricanes, Wade has scored the third most runs in the history of the club with 2285 runs at an average of 32.64, scoring 17 fifties and a top score of 130* not out.
He also became the Hurricanes leading dismissal taker last summer, as one of Australia’s premier wicketkeepers for the previous decade and beyond.
His experience at the international level, in T20 tournaments all around the world makes him one of Hobart’s most experienced cricketers, known for his ability to take on the best bowling line-ups in the country and never taking a backwards step.
The leadership he showed throughout his time as captain of the Hurricanes, before current skipper Nathan Ellis, made each player stand a little taller, knowing that ‘Wadey’ would back them and trust in their ability.
His BBL|14, while a little light on by his lofty run-scoring standards, still saw him average 24.00 across his nine games, with two crucial innings helping the Hurricanes to the BBL|14 Finals.
A last-ball match winning six from Wade on the last ball against the Heat saw the Hurricanes guarantee top spot on the BBL|14 ladder, and his 32* not out in the Final helped guide Hobart home was poetic, noting all that he had given to the game of cricket in Tasmania.
Cricket Tasmania High Performance General Manager Salliann Beams is delighted to see Wade sign on in Tasmania.
“Wadey has been crucial in what we have been trying to build in purple over the past few seasons and continues to be crucial.
“Everyone knows he is a competitor on the field, and I love how he puts the team first by providing versatility with the batting order.
“His leadership on and off the field continues to have a positive influence and the support he has provided to Nathan’s captaincy has been instrumental to our success.
“He can take a game away from any bowling attack in country, and is still one of the best glove man in the country, I’m so happy Wadey will finish his career as a Hurricane,” said Beams.
Wade joins Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Nathan Ellis, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, and Mac Wright under contract ahead of BBL|15, with further signings and re-signings to be announced soon.
Details on Hobart Hurricanes memberships will be communicated to Hurricanes fans in the coming month.