Oz skipper Aaron Finch announces ODI retirement

Cairns: Aaron Finch will retire from one-day international cricket after the third ODI against New Zealand on Sunday.Finch who has played 145 ODIs for Australia has struggled for form in recent games, scoring only 26 runs in his last 7 innings.

The opening batter will not be a part of Australia’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, Finch, however, will remain captain of the national T20 side that is preparing to defend the World Cup title on home soil next month.

In a press release from Cricket Australia, Finch said, “It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories. 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."

Finch will play his 146th and final one-day international on Sunday at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns, capping off an outstanding career that has seen him captain his country 54 times in the format.His 17 centuries for Australia put him behind only greats Ricky Ponting (29), David Warner and Mark Waugh (both 18).

He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at MCG in 2013 and and scored 5041 runs - including 17 centuries and 30 fifties - at an average of 39.13.

In no time he became a mainstay for Australia at the top of the order and in just his 49th ODI he became a World Cup champion in 2015 with victory over New Zealand in Melbourne.

Finch took the reins of the ODI side full-time in 2018 and led Australia in the 2019 World Cup, a campaign that ended with semi-final defeat to eventual winners England.(UNI)