'We will miss you legend'- Twitter reacts as former Australia Captain Aaron Finch announces retirement

Aaron Finch (Image source: Twitter)

Veteran Australia batter Aaron Finch has announced retirement from T20I bringing an end to his international career. Finch who has been Australia’s longest-serving captain in limited overs, has led them to their maiden 20-20 World Cup title in 2021. The move had been expected following Finch's decision to quit ODIs late last year.

Finch in a statement announcing his retirement said "Realising that I won't be playing on until the next 20-20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event. I'd like to thank my family, especially my wife Amy, my teammates, 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.”

Finch's place in the Australian team came under scrutiny after the team failed to defend the 20-20 World Cup title at home in 2022. In the World Cup last year, the hosts Australia were unable to advance past the group round.

Aaron Finch had a great run in Big Bash League

Finch had a very impressive run for the Melbourne Renegades in Big Bash League season 12. He has scored 428 runs at an average of 38.90 in 15 matches. However, he has decided not to play in South Africa in August when Australia's next T20I series is scheduled.

Finch, made his debut for Australia against England in 2011. Throughout his illustrious international career, Finch has scored 8,804 runs in total. He has also scored 17 ODI and two T20I centuries for Australia. His stunning knock of 156 runs off 63 balls against England in Southampton is one of the finest T20I knock to date. Finch also holds the record for the highest individual score in T20I. he has hammered 172 runs against Zimbabwe in his record-breaking innings in 2018.

Meanwhile, fans react to his retirement and call it the ‘end of an era’. Here are a few tweets:

World cup 2015 winner👑🏆

2022 wt20 🏆 🥇

Undisputed 🐐 from Australia 🇦🇺 ♥️

Wishing the great Aaron finch best o luck for his second innings 👏 👍🏻 😀 🙌

— Advay Sharma (@Rohirat45_18) February 7, 2023

Morgan and now Finch ,our childhood heroes are retiring 💔

— Aryan (@Aryan91517546) February 7, 2023

It's always sad to see a great player like Aaron Finch retire from international cricket. He has contributed so much to the sport and will be remembered as a talented and successful player. Wishing him all the best in his future endeavors and a happy retirement. #ThankYouFinch

— sahil (@sahilrahinj) February 7, 2023

We will miss u aussie legend.

— Tom Gravestone (@Whygravestone) February 7, 2023

Love u finchy have a grt life ahead 💗, one of the best power hitters of Australia 💗

— aryaveerrr (@Biomania123) February 7, 2023

Greatest opener of the last decade 🙌

— VISH (@ViratTilldeath) February 7, 2023

Iske darawane sapno m aaj bhi Bhuvi aata hota 😂

— Tonald Drump (Backup account) (@Sexyano_Donald0) February 7, 2023

Meanwhile who are in line to replace him as captain pic.twitter.com/yjK7J6IBP4

— Prasun Jha (@jprasun21) February 7, 2023

No doubt one of the greatest

— Adarsh Vardhan (@Adarsh9500) February 7, 2023