Aaron Finch has ended his remarkable international career, which included guiding Australia to their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory.
Announcing his departure from international cricket, Aaron Finch.
The long-time white-ball captain played in 254 international games for Australia in all forms, including five Tests, 146 One-Day Internationals, and 103 Twenty20 Internationals.
Before announcing his retirement on Tuesday, Finch captained Australia in 55 ODIs and a record 76 men’s T20Is.
CWC19: SL v AUS – Aaron Finch 153 batting highlights
“Now is the perfect time to step aside and give the squad time to plan and build towards that tournament, realising that I won’t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, “Finch spoke to journalists at the MCG.
“I also want to extend a sincere appreciation to all of my followers who have helped me succeed internationally.”
Finch has accumulated 8,804 runs since making his international debut in a T20I match against England in January 2011, including 17 ODI hundreds and two T20I ones.
Finch ended his ODI career in September of last year, but he continued to captain Australia in T20s, notably during their disappointing home defence of the T20 World Cup.
The right-hander’s last international match came in that tournament when he top-scored with 63 as Australia beat Ireland by 42 runs but failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
Throughout much of his time playing at the highest level, Finch was a white-ball cricket superstar. In 2020, he was nominated for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade award.
When he slammed 172 runs off just 76 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2018, he set the record for the highest T20I score. His amazing innings featured 10 sixes and 16 fours.
Finch’s 156 from 63 balls against England in Southampton in 2013 remains the third-highest men’s T20I score ever. That innings beat his own record for the highest T20I score.
Australia lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy
The 36-year-old saw the pinnacle of achievement when playing for Australia in the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and in 2021 as captain of the T20 World Cup squad.
The first T20 World Cup victory in 2021 and winning the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be the two experiences I treasure most. Team success is what you play the game for “stated Finch.
“It has been an amazing honour to play with and against some of the greatest players of all time while representing Australia for 12 years.”
