Australia’s T20 captain Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from the international cricket scene bringing an end to an illustrious career.
The 36-year-old had already called time on his 50-over career last September but decided to stay on as Australia’s T20 leader for the country’s defence of the World Cup title at home which ended before the semifinals stage.
One of the most formidable power-hitters in the modern game, Finch retires having won two World Cup trophies and stockpiling more than 8,000 runs across three formats of the game.
“Today, fully, I think the time is right to let the T20 team move on into a new phase, particularly with a World Cup coming up in 2024,” Finch told reporters at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“I think that the time is right to allow them enough time and space to allow a new captain to take over and move the team in their direction.
“It’s been a pretty amazing ride.”
Despite a late slump in his form where questions were asked about his place in a loaded Australian team, Finch leaves as one of Australia’s best batters.
He scored 3,120 runs in T20Is at an average of 34.28 with his 172 against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2018 still being the highest score in the format while his 5,406 ODI runs at an average of 38.89 helped his side win the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2015.
With Aaron Finch confirming his retirement, Cricket Australia is likely to turn to Pat Cummins to take over the captain’s duty in all formats though Finch himself petitioned for a return to leadership for Steve Smith.
