After a successful international cricket career spanning over a decade, Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from the sport. The 36-year-old represented Australia in 254 international matches, playing five Tests, 146 ODIs and 103 T20Is, and holds the record for the highest score in a T20I with his incredible knock of 172 runs against Zimbabwe in 2018.
Finch’s international cricket journey began in January 2011 when he made his debut in a T20I against England. Throughout his career, he amassed 8,804 runs, including 17 ODI centuries and two T20I tons. He led Australia in a world record 76 men’s T20Is and 55 ODIs, and was the captain of the T20 World Cup squad in 2021 when Australia won their maiden T20 World Cup trophy.
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Finch’s last international match came in the unsuccessful T20 World Cup defence on home soil where he top-scored with 63 runs as Australia beat Ireland by 42 runs, but failed to qualify for the semi-finals. The right-hander’s announcement of his retirement comes at the right moment, as he believes it is time to give the team time to plan and build towards the next T20 World Cup in 2024.
In his retirement announcement, Finch expressed his gratitude towards the fans who supported him throughout his international career. He also spoke about the two most memorable moments of his career – winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015 on home soil and leading Australia to their maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021.
“Team success is what you play the game for and the maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be the two memories I cherish the most,” Finch said.
“To be able to represent Australia for 12 years and play with and against some of the greatest players of all time has been an incredible honor”