Aaron Finch: Australia T20 captain and former World Cup winner announces international retirement

Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from all international cricket after 12 years in the national side.

The 36-year-old skippered Australia in 76 T20 internationals – more than any other men’s player – and led the team to a maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2021, making him one of only four men to captain Australia to a World Cup victory.

Finch was also part of the squad that lifted the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, had already retired from ODI cricket in September.

His T20 international 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 individual score in T20 internationals.

Finch said in a statement: “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.

Image: Australia’s Aaron Finch took time over the home summer to decide on his T20 future after Australia’s World Cup title defence ended before the semi-finals.

“I’d like to thank my family, especially my wife Amy, my team-mates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their support to allow 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. Team success is what you play the game for and the maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be the two memories I cherish the most.

“To be able to represent Australia for 12 years and play with and against some of the greatest players of all time has been an incredible honour.”

Finch had excellent tournament in the domestic Big Bash League, smashing 428 runs at an average of 38.9 to help guide the Melbourne Renegades into their first finals series in three years.

The 36-year-old 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.

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Australia beat a spirited Ireland by 42 runs during the T20 World Cup on home soil

Cricket Australia chair Dr Lachlan Henderson said: “On behalf of Cricket Australia, I’d like to congratulate Aaron on an exceptional international career, where he finishes as one of our finest white-ball players.

“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.

“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. This earned him the respect of his team-mates, opposition players and fans from around the world.

“As one of only four men’s players to captain Australia to a World Cup victory, Aaron will always have a special place in Australian cricket’s history. Playing at the highest level for over a decade requires incredible determination and dedication, so we thank Aaron for his enormous contribution and wish him all the best in the next phase of his career.”