Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from all international cricket after 12 years in the national side.
The 36-year-old captained Australia in 76 T20 internationals, more than any other male player, and guided the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2021, making him one of four men to captain Australia to the World Cup. win
Finch was also part of the squad that lifted the ICC 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2015.
His international T20 career spanned 103 matches, where he averaged 34.28 at a strike rate of 142.5, and his 172 off 76 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018 remains the highest single score in T20 internationals.
Finch said: “Realizing that I will not be playing until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right time to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event.
“I would like to thank my family, especially my wife Amy, my teammates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricket Association for their support in allowing 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.
“The success of the team is what you play the game for and the biggest win in the T20 World Cup in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup at home in 2015 are my two fondest memories.
“It was an honor to be able to represent Australia for 12 years and play with and against some of the greatest players of all time.”
Finch, who will continue to play in domestic T20 competitions, was named player of the match in his final appearance, against Ireland at the 2022 World Cup.
Cricket Australia Chairman Dr Lachlan Henderson said: “On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to congratulate Aaron on an exceptional international career, ending as one of our best white-ball players.
“In full flight, there have not been many batsmen more powerful than Aaron, which is reflected in the fact that he has two of the three highest scores ever in T20 International cricket.
“Although he was a fierce competitor on the field, Aaron always played the game with a smile on his face and in the right spirit. This earned him the respect of his teammates, opposition players and fans from around the world.
“As one of only four players to captain Australia to a World Cup victory, Aaron will always have a special place in Australian cricket history.
“It takes incredible determination and dedication to play at the highest level for over a decade, so we thank Aaron for his tremendous work and wish him well in the next phase of his career.”