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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Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I reckon Warner has still not come clean so why would we make him captain who jagged the team so badly for revenge.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
That's my opinion too. It baffles me that so many people not only forgive his catalog of serious indiscretions, but that they actually want to reward him! These are strange and disturbing times.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Plus DTM Maxwell has that 'little' bit of ego that inspires others to follow him
DTM
Roar Rookie
Not sure he'll contribute much in the T20 WC. In my view, he really should be replaced in the squad. I think Maxwell should be the captain of the T20 team from now till the end of the WC. He is a definite starter every game. He is vastly experienced in the format and has a good cricket brain. He has leadership experience. He is respected by his players (and the opposition). Can be inspirational at times. Rarely gets injured. No other player in the squad ticks these boxes.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Big Show
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Shaun Abbott is the obvious choice Any leader of a national team named Abbott always succeeds beyond our wildest expectations.
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
I don’t think that matters anymore. They are professionals, and many are happy to let the selectors decide when they have worn out their welcome. Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting are classic examples of this. Some are less than happy to not be allowed to hang around forever, Allan Border and Steve Waugh are good examples. Don’t get me wrong, SW and AB were fabulous players, but they surely did not want to go, and both hung around a year too long, as did Mark and Punter. I wonder how Smithy will go with this.
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
Is she the chief selector?
Homer Nixon
Guest
Credentials? He made a junior player do the dirty work he wasn't prepared to do. That is actually the absolute textbook definition of someone who is unable to lead: don't ask someone to do what you aren't prepared to do yourself. I don't mind lifting the ban, but he's a hopeless leader and not worthy of the job.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
All washed up. Needed to retire after winning the last T20 after contributing winning the toss most times. I could've done that but maybe not :). Poor Finchy. he won't be missed at all. He's been missing for a long while!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Perhaps because of the backseat that ODIs have somewhat taken over the last decade, it's easy for Finch's record to be overlooked across 90% of the bell curve of his career. For that 90%, it has been quite exceptional.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi qwetzen. It could be, but how long would he be in that role and would it should that come into it? The main issue I have with Warner is it long term? Could be sad he is near the end also.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Green obviously in for Stoin.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
It should be Warner purely on credentials, if CA are wise enough to remove his ridiculous leadership ban. Otherwise I'd go for Mitch Marsh, only concern around Mitch is his fitness.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Great career, somewhat sullied by playing on a year or two too long. But I guess that’s on the selectors, not him. He should join a commentary team though - he’s thoughtful, eloquent and knows the game well.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Well played Finchy. A very good ODI career and a lot to be proud of - more than 5000 runs, average just under 40, 17 centuries and a world cup. That 135 against England to kick-off the 2015 world cup is the knock that immediately springs to mind for me.
Patrick
Roar Pro
I suppose he would argue that his form has been better in T20Is than ODIs. He has averaged 13 in 13 ODIs in 2022, compared to an average of 30.87 (SR 121.67) in nine T20Is this year. That said, I tend to agree with you. I don't think playing a different format magically fixes his issues, and his strike rate has been a bit low for the last two years. The other element would be timing, as you alluded to. The T20WC squad has already been named, and there aren't that many games for a new captain to settle into the role before the tournament. Plus the idea of leading Australia in a home World Cup must be pretty appealing for him.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Possible U, head seems the logical choice :thumbup:
U
Roar Rookie
Well said Don
U
Roar Rookie
Resigned before he was pushed id say. Bring in Head, Ussie and Mitch Marsh for Finch, Stoinis and Lasagne and we’ve got a much better team all of a sudden. Head to be skipper with Mitch his deputy. Needs to be a new regime like when Paine took over the test side