Australia’s captain Finch calls time on his ODI career

CAIRNS: Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from the One-Day Cricket following the conclusion of the ongoing series against New Zealand, on Sunday.

Finch, who made his ODI debut for Australia in 2013, has decided to hang his boots from the 50-over cricket after the third match of the ongoing series against New Zealand. The right-handed batter, however, will continue to lead Australia in T20Is.

“It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories,” Finch said. “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.

“It is time now to give a new leader the best possible opportunity to prepare for and win the next World Cup. I thank all of those who have helped and supported my journey to this point.”

The right-handed batter went through a rough patch in ODI cricket this year, making just 169 runs at 13, including five ducks in his last 12 outings.

Finch, who initially had set his sights on playing the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, however, revealed on Sunday that he had begun to consider the decision of retirement before the Zimbabwe series in Townsville and realised that the ODI World Cup was out of his reach.

It is pertinent to mention here that Finch represented Australia in 145 matches and amassed 5,401 runs at an average of 39.13 including 17 centuries and 30 fifties.

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