Captain looks set to switch states

Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade cites family reasons as motivation behind mooted switch from Victoria to Tasmania

Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade appears set to leave his post as captain of the Victorian Bushrangers and return to his native state of Tasmania at the end of the summer.

Wade, Australia’s incumbent Test and one-day international gloveman, will end an almost decade-long playing career and four-season captaincy tenure with Victoria at the end of the domestic season to move back to Hobart.

The 29-year-old said he wanted to move back to Hobart for “personal and family reasons” and was confident the move would go ahead despite having a year to run on his contract with Victoria.

“I am currently in discussions with both Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria and Cricket Tasmania about a possible move back to Tasmania next season for personal and family reasons,” Wade said.

“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.”

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said while they respect Wade’s desire to move states, they are “disappointed” at the possibility of losing the man who’s led the Bushrangers to the last two Sheffield Shield titles.

“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.”

Complicating matters somewhat is the ongoing Memorandum of Understanding negotiations between Cricket Australia and the Australia Cricketers’ Association.

But Cricket Tasmania cricket general manager Andrew Dykes was confident the move will go ahead despite the unresolved talks between the governing body and the players’ union.

“Due to the ongoing ACA and CA memorandum of understanding negotiations, we are unable to progress any further with state contract negotiations,” Dykes told 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.”

Wade was born in Tasmania but he left the Apple Isle as a 19-year-old to pursue a first-class career with the Bushrangers.

He made his Test debut in 2012 and replaced Brad Haddin as Australia’s first-choice ‘keeper, before Haddin was reinstated a year later.

Wade returned to the Test side this summer, replacing Peter Nevill in the wake of Australia’s series defeat to South Africa in November.

He was appointed captain of Victoria for the 2013-14 season, replacing Cameron White.

“Having Winter [my daughter] for 11 months now and being on the road almost full time has probably fast-tracked when I thought I was potentially going to be moving down,” Wade told The Mercury.

“It gives me a good opportunity to come into a different environment and a different team.

“Where I’m at in my career, it will be a good thing. It will freshen me up as well and make me get the best out of myself and obviously I’d love to see the Tassie Tigers improve and get better year by year.”