Aaron Finch Retires From International Cricket

Australia’s Aaron Finch on Tuesday (February 7) decided to bring the curtains down on his international career with T20I retirement after playing at the highest level for 12 long years. He ended his decorated  T20I career as one of the most prolific run-getters in the 20-over format. Retired from international cricket, Finch has confirmed that he’ll be available to play league cricket and will continue to play in T20 domestic competitions around the globe, including the Big Bash League (BBL).

Having already announced his retirement from ODI and Test cricket, the retirement of the 36-year-old came on expected lines. He played just five Tests, the last one being in 2018, and retired from the ODIs last year after struggling to perform as a batter and as a captain of the Australian team. The explosive top-order represented Australia in 254 international matches across all formats, playing five Tests, 146 ODIs, and 103 T20Is. After making his international debut in January 2011, Finch went on to score 8,804 runs across three formats of the game, including 17 ODI centuries and two T20I tons. His last of many international appearances came in the T20 World Cup 2022 when he top-scored with 63.

Here’s What Finch Said on His Retirement:

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

One of the best white-ball openers, Finch captained the team to their first T20 World Cup title when they defeated New Zealand in Dubai in 2021 and is one of only four male Australians to captain a World Cup-winning side. Finch was also a part of the Michael Clarke’s team that won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2015. While announcing his retirement from international cricket, Finch revealed that he has signed a two-year contract extension with BBL franchise Melbourne Renegades.