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Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has announced retirement from all forms of international cricket, ending his illustrious career which included leading the Aussies to their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. The white-ball captain has played 254 international matches across all formats, playing five Tests, 146 ODIs and 103 T20Is.
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Finch also led Australia in a record 76 men's T20Is, as well as in 55 ODIs, before calling it a career on Tuesday. Addressing this decision, Finch stated that this was the right moment to step down from this role.
“Realising that I won’t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event," Finch told reporters at the MCG. “I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career."
Prior to this decision, Finch announced retirement from 50-over cricket last October as he wanted to focus on T20s. Cricket Australia named Pat Cummins as his replacement in ODIs. The Board is yet to announce Finch's successor in T20Is.
Going back to his career, Finch has played 146 ODIs at an average of almost 39, and 103 T20 internationals at an average of 34.28 and a strike-rate of 142.53. He also had the record for the highest score in a T20 international twice, scoring 156 against England in 2013 and then breaking the record with his 172 against Zimbabwe at Harare in 2018.
Cricket Australia Chairman Lachlan Henderson called Finch one of the most powerful batters in world cricket. “In full flight, there were few batters more powerful than Aaron, illustrated by the fact he holds two of the three highest ever scores in T20 International cricket,” Henderson said. “While he was a tough competitor on the field, Aaron always played the game with a smile on his face and in the right spirit.”
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