Australia’s veteran batter, Aaron Finch, has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a successful 12-year career that saw him become one of the finest T20I batsmen of all time. The 36-year-old, who captained the Australian team to its maiden ICC World T20 title in 2021, played a total of five Tests, 146 ODIs, and 103 T20Is. Despite his international retirement, Finch will continue to play for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Finch took retirement as a One Day International (ODI) captain of the Australian team last year. Now, he confirmed his retirement from T20Is on Tuesday. The decision comes after Australia failed to defend its T20 World Cup crown. It was at home in 2022, with the hosts failing to make the knockout stage of the tournament. In his statement, Finch said, “Realizing that I won’t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event.”
A Glittering Career
One of the most successful T20I captains in the history of the game, Finch made his international debut in 2011 against England. In his glittering international career, he accumulated 8,804 runs, 17 ODI centuries, and two T20I tons. The veteran batter will always be remembered for his record-breaking 172 runs in just 76 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018. It was the highest score in a T20I. Also, his stunning 156-run knock against England in 2013, which still holds the record for the third-highest score in T20Is.
🚨 JUST IN: Australia's T20I captain has announced his retirement from international cricket.
Details 👇https://t.co/gfsgnSLosW
— ICC (@ICC) February 6, 2023
Finch expressed his gratitude to his family, team-mates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, and the fans who supported him throughout his international career. He 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.”
Team Success
Team success is what drives athletes to perform at the highest level and this holds true for Aaron Finch. Finch recently announced his retirement from international cricket. During his illustrious career, he has had the privilege of playing for Australia. Aaron Finch represented his country on the global stage for over 12 years. Throughout his journey, he has made memories that will last a lifetime and among them, two stand out as the most cherished. The first being the maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021. Also, the second being lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015. These victories are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment that Aaron Finch put in to make the team successful.
However, success did not come easily for Aaron Finch. As Australia’s longest-serving captain in the shortest format of the game, Finch was instrumental in leading the team to its first World T20 title. His leadership skills, tactical prowess and ability to motivate his team-mates played a significant role in the team’s success.
Moreover, Finch’s contributions as a batsman cannot be overlooked. With a glittering career that spanned over a decade. He accumulated 8,804 runs and smashed 17 ODI centuries and two T20I tons for Australia. His last international match for Australia saw him top-score with a brilliant 63-run knock. It helped the Men from Down Under secure a 42-run victory over Ireland
The international cricket community will miss Aaron Finch’s exceptional batting skills and leadership abilities. His contributions to Australian cricket will always be remembered. His name will always be synonymous with some of the finest T20I knocks ever played. Aaron Finch’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest T20 batsmen to have played the game.
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