Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch has confirmed his retirement
After a stunning career for Australia that netted more than 8500 runs across all formats, Aaron Finch has announced his retirement.
Aaron Finch wants a white-ball specialist to replace him as Australian T20 captain after confirming his retirement from international cricket.
The 36-year-old has called time after a stunning career that yielded more than 8500 runs across all three forms of the game, and two World Cup wins.
Finch played 103 T20s to go with 146 ODIs and his five Tests since his international debut in a T20 match against England in 2011, labelling his career an “amazing journey”.
He called time now to give the T20 team, which doesn’t play again until August, ample time to prepare for the next World Cup in 2024.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“It has been a pretty amazing journey.”
Finch reeled off names including Steve Smith, Travis Head and even Big Bash winner Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner as a potential successor.
Finch captained Australia in 73 T20s, leading Australia to its breakthrough T20 World Cup triumph in 2021.
He holds the world record for the highest individual score in a T20 international, his 172 from just 76 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018 - he also has the third-highest score in history, 156 against England in 2013.
Finch retired from ODI cricket, having captained Australia 76 times, more than any other player, after a series against New Zealand last September before leading Australia in its unsuccessful T20 World Cup defence.
He then starred for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash, selected in the team of the tournament for his 428 runs. Finch will play on for the Renegades next season.
Our World Cup winning, longest serving men's T20I captain has called time on a remarkable career.
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) February 6, 2023
Thanks for everything @AaronFinch5 🤠pic.twitter.com/cVdeJQmCXN
AARON FINCH
Tests: 5 - 278 runs @ 27.8
ODIs: 146 - 5406 runs @ 38.89, 17 x 100s, highest score 153 not out
T20s: 103 - 3120 runs @ 34.28, 2 x 100s, highest score 172
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