After a poor run with the bat, Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch abruptly 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.
“It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories,” said Finch, who has skippered the one-day side 54 times.
“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.”
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 time now to give a new leader the best possible opportunity to prepare for and win the next World Cup,” he said.
“I thank all of those who have helped and supported my journey to this point.”
