Australia’s most successful T20I batter, Aaron Finch, announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on Tuesday (February 7). Finch has represented his nation in 254 international matches across all formats and he also led the Men in Yellow to their maiden T20 World Cup triumph in 2021.
In the shortest format, Finch has the record of the longest-serving skipper to his name, as he captained the Australian side in 76 T20Is-the most by any player. The 36-year-old featured for the Aussies in 146 ODIs as well and won the 2015 Men’s ODI World Cup as a member of the team. However, before calling off his career from all forms of international cricket, Finch had already retired from the 50-overs format in 2022. He also appeared in five Tests for the Aussies.
After Finch’s retirement announcement, social media was flooded with praises for the white ball legend, as so many popular personalities and fans posted happy retirement messages for the World Cup-winning captain.
Famous Australian sports journalist Chloe-Amanda Bailey wrote on Twitter: “It sucks when your faves you’ve watched play for most of your life start retiring from international cricket! Thanks for everything @AaronFinch5. Legend. All the best for what’s next!”
Sunrisers Hyderabad also took to Twitter to wish Finch a happy retirement. Notably, Finch had previously represented the Hyderabad-based franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
On that note, let’s look at some of the reactions following Finch’s retirement.
It sucks when your faves you’ve watched play for most of your life start retiring from international cricket! Thanks for everything @AaronFinch5. Legend. All the best for what’s next!
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) February 6, 2023
World Cup winner, Australia's most successful T20I batter, and the longest serving men's T20I captain. 👏🏼
On behalf of the #OrangeArmy, congratulations on a remarkable career and happy retirement, Finchy 🧡#AaronFinch pic.twitter.com/WE8aPhmM2e
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 7, 2023
A congratulations to Aaron Finch on a glowing international career 👏 pic.twitter.com/DM07hy1fPn
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 7, 2023
T20 World Cup winning captain, highest individual score in T20I, 19 hundreds with more than 8000 runs including 507 runs in the 2019 ODI World Cup for Australia.
Thank you, Aaron Finch. pic.twitter.com/xhT72f0XQC
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 7, 2023
Happy retirement, @AaronFinch5 pic.twitter.com/LDtVUAxWh7
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 7, 2023
Aaron Finch has confirmed his retirement from international cricket.
No cricketer in history has scored more T20I runs at a higher strike rate than the Victorian.
"The time is right to the let the T20 team move on to a new phase."
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) February 6, 2023
Congrats on a fine limited overs career for AUS, Aaron Finch.
Still remember that 156 he scored v ENG in Southampton.
Yes, I had watched him compile some runs for PW (especially 2013) in the IPL but that knock made me sit up and take notice of his limited overs prowess.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) February 7, 2023
•5406 runs, 38.9 ave in ODIs.
•3120 runs, 34.3 ave, 142.5 SR in T20I.
•8804 runs, 19 100s in Int'l cricket.
•Highest individual score in T20I.
•Won T20 WC as captain.Aaron Finch is one of the finest white ball player in this modern era. Thank you, Finchy for all memories! pic.twitter.com/r5P6VBZuSn
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) February 7, 2023
💥Highest Score in T20I format
172 – 🇦🇺Aaron Finch
162* – 🇦🇫Hazratullah Zazai
156 – 🇦🇺Aaron Finch
145* – 🇦🇺Glenn Maxwell💥Happy Retirement Aaron Finch
— Abdul Samad (@SamadSindhi786) February 7, 2023
Only two batters have ever gone past 150 in T20Is and Aaron Finch did it twice, including the all time highest knock of 172 in 76 balls against Zimbabwe. He was also the first visiting captain when Sri Lanka defaulted on debt.
Happy retirement skipper👏 pic.twitter.com/ILyt29VuXa— Akhila Seneviratne (@AkhilaSene97) February 7, 2023
