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Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from ODI cricket.
After a horror recent run of form, including becoming the first Australian to record five ducks in a format in a calendar year, the captain announced on Saturday that the weekend’s clash against New Zealand in Cairns would be his final 50-over game.
However, Finch will remain captain of Australia’s T20I team, heading into the looming home World Cup.
“It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories,” Finch said.
“I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of some brilliant one-day sides. Equally, I have been blessed by all those I have played with and the many people behind the scenes.
“I thank all of those who have helped and supported my journey to this point.”
Finch’s 17 centuries are the fourth-most by an Australian male in ODI cricket, one more than the legendary Adam Gilchrist from 141 fewer innings. He has the chance to join David Warner and Mark Waugh in joint second behind Ricky Ponting should he sign off with another century.
Poor recent form, which has seen him score just 26 runs at 5.2 in the back-to-back series in Queensland against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, led to much criticism over his place in the team.
But the 36-year old at his peak was one of the most destructive opening batters in world cricket, regularly providing a solid platform for Australia and playing a crucial role in the 2015 World Cup.
Finch finishes as one of a select group of players to have won both the ODI and T20I World Cups, while he filled the void left by Warner and Steve Smith in the aftermath of ‘Sandpapergate’ with five Tests at the top of the order in 2018.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Finch also stepped in for Smith as ODI captain after his axing, following a brief stint in charge by Tim Paine, and saw Australia turn around a horror 2018 in 50-over cricket to reach the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.
With just 169 runs at 13, Finch’s 2022 season has been a nightmare in the format, having not played a single match since late 2020.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has praised the Victorian’s contribution to Australian cricket, as both player and captain.
“On behalf of Australian Cricket, I would like to congratulate Aaron on his vast contribution as captain of the Australian men’s ODI team and as a wonderful exponent of the 50-over format,” Hockley said.
“Aaron is an enormously gifted and determined player whose outstanding deeds with the bat have been matched by his strong and inspiring leadership.
“His decision to step aside from the ODI captaincy now is typical of his selfless approach to the game.
“I’m delighted that Aaron will lead the Australian team into the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup where his leadership, experience and tactical nous will be integral to the defence of our T20 World Cup title on home soil.”
Australia had already retained the Chappell-Hadlee trophy with wins in the first two games of the series against the Black Caps.
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