Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade moves back to his home team Tasmania

Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade has moved back to his home side Tasmania after representing Victoria for 10 years in the domestic circuit. The news was confirmed after the side announced its list of contracted players for the 2017-18 season on Thursday (August 17). Wade said that he is making the switch due to family reasons.

Wade has been the leader of the side in the last four seasons, and it is believed that he is leaving the side in pursuit of greater opportunities. He has led the side to multiple domestic titles and also successfully made his way into the national team, representing them in all the three formats.

Apart from pacer Jackson Bird, Wade is the only other player in the Tasmania side with a central-contract with Cricket Australia. Former spinner Xavier Doherty missed out from the list of cricketers. Batsman George Bailey will lead the side and Adam Griffith has been appointed as the new coach.

“After a lengthy process we are excited by the young talent we have been able to acquire from interstate, along with the continual development of local players,” Griffith said in a statement. “We have been able to increase our depth in the fast bowling ranks, which is vital for the long season ahead,” he added.

Other inclusions have been Nick Buchanan, Charlie Wakim and Tom Rogers, while Gabe Bell, as they got an upgrade. Aaron Summers and Liam Devlin have been named as the new rookies for the season.

Tasmania squad:

George Bailey (C), Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Cameron Boyce, Nick Buchanan, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Andrew Fekete, Jake Hancock, Ben McDermott, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Andrew Perrin, Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers, Jordan Silk, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Beau Webster, Cameron Stevenson. Caleb Jewell, Riley Meredith, Corey Murfet, Mac Wright, Aaron Summers, Liam Devlin.