Aaron Finch Announces Retirement From T20Is

Veteran batsman Aaron Finch, on Tuesday (February 7), brought down curtains on his T20I career that spanned over a decade. The decision has ended the journey of Australia’s longest serving and most successful T20I captain.

Last year, he had also announced his retirement from 50-over cricket. The right-handed batsman, however, will continue to ply his trade in the Big Bash League. He is likely to sign a one-year contract with Melbourne Renegades.

Regarded as one of the best T20I openers in the world in his prime, Aaron Finch is the only player from Australia so far to play more than 100 T20Is. He has retired after representing his country in 103 games. He has also led Australia in a record 76 matches.

In 2021, he guided Australia to their first-ever T20I World Cup title. Aaron Finch also holds the record for the highest T20I score for his stunning knock of 172 against Zimbabwe in 2018. He is also the leading run-scorer for Australia in T20Is, having scored 3,120 runs. No other Australian has managed to breach the 3,000-run mark in T20Is so far.

Aaron Finch on his retirement:

Confirming his retirement from T20Is, Aaron Finch said that he took the decision after realising that he won’t be playing in the next T20 World Cup.

“Realising that I won’t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event,” Aaron Finch told reporters at the MCG on Tuesday (February 7).

“I’d like to thank my family, especially my wife Amy, my team-mates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their support to allow me to play the game I love at the highest level. I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career,” he added.

The sudden decision to retire from T20Is mean his last appearance for his country came during the group game against Ireland in last year’s World Cup at home. It was followed by a good outing in the BBL where he scored 428 runs at an average of almost 40.  The good run in the BBL, however, did not stop him from further extending his T20I career.

“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.

“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 honour,” said Aaron Finch.

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