After a poor run with the bat, Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch shockingly announced his retirement from one-day cricket on Saturday, saying it was time to pass the torch.
On Sunday in Cairns, the 35-year-old will play his 146th and final ODI against New Zealand, finishing a stellar 50-over career in which he has amassed 5,401 runs.
Only the greats Ricky Ponting (29), David Warner, and Mark Waugh had more centuries than him (17). (both 18).
The Twenty20 team led by Finch will continue to prepare to defend its World Cup championship at home early next month. Finch, who has skippered the one-day side 54 times, said, “It has been a tremendous trip with some incredible experiences.
“I’ve had the great fortune to play on some truly outstanding one-day sides. I have also been fortunate by all the people I have played with and the numerous crew members.”
No one questioned his excellent leadership, but the opener has struggled with the bat lately, hitting 5, 5, 1, 15, 0, 0, 0 in his previous seven ODIs as media pressure mounts.
Despite this, he was still supposed to captain the group to the India ODI World Cup in 2023. In 2020, Finch declared that the tournament’s leadership was his “ultimate ambition.”
It is now time to provide a new leader with the finest opportunity to get ready for and win the following World Cup, he declared.
“I thank everyone who has contributed to and encouraged my journey to this point,”
