‘Will miss you Finchy!’ – Tributes pour in for Aaron Finch on his retirement from international cricket

Aaron Finch, the Australian batter and former captain, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on February 7, Tuesday. The right-handed batter announced that he wanted to step down and make way for the team, as he has no hopes of taking part in the 20-20 World Cup 2024, given the tournament is too far away. 

In September 2022, Finch called it a time in the 50-over format and the batter was taking part in the shortest format of the game, with the right-handed batter failing to make an impact since then. However, Finch had a decent outing in T20Is post his retirement from the ODIs in September and led the team in the 20-20 World Cup 2022, although the Kangaroos failed to make an impact in the multinational tournament. 

“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. 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 was quoted as saying. 

Aaron Finch always played the game with a smile: Lachlan Henderson

Opening up on the same, Cricket Australia’s chairman Lachlan Henderson claimed that the Australian veteran used to play games with a smile on his face irrespective of the situation. Henderson lauded the right-handed batter, as he highlighted Finch’s qualities as captain that stood out from the rest in the modern era. 

“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,” Henderson was quoted as saying. Finch amassed 8804 runs in 254 matches with 19 centuries to his name across all formats, spanning a period of 11 years, meaning that he would go down as one of the finest players to have played for Australia in the white-ball format. 

Here’s how fans have reacted to former Australian captain Aaron Finch’s retirement from international cricket: 

Retired from all format. Planning to T20 leagues in allover the world

— Siga (@SigaJourno) February 7, 2023

https://twitter.com/rameshsingh9166/status/1622818149514244096?s=20&t=TMGe3xP5dFwEb1-RIvbBNg

https://twitter.com/GaneshSinghKor9/status/1622817387300134914?s=20&t=TMGe3xP5dFwEb1-RIvbBNg

Aaron Finch retires from international cricket!!! Thank you @AaronFinch5 for memories you will be missed ❤️#AaronFinch pic.twitter.com/SOpLXkP1Ue

— Mohammad Jamlish Roy (@jamlishsays) February 6, 2023

One of the best knock from Australian captain Aaron Finch during ODI World Cup 2019#Aaronfinchpic.twitter.com/bkMnQrPVGm">https://t.co/pDZJ7LQyGc

— Usman Shaikh (@shaikusman_7) February 7, 2023

https://twitter.com/im_ranjan17/status/1622814036806213632?s=20&t=TMGe3xP5dFwEb1-RIvbBNg

https://twitter.com/imhemant1818/status/1622812473102581760?s=20&t=TMGe3xP5dFwEb1-RIvbBNg

Congratulations to Aaron Finch on a marvellous career. History will remember as one of the finest opening batters in world cricket. #Aaronfinch #AaronFinchRetires

— Kunal (@kunaljoshi93) February 7, 2023