‘A great team man’- Twitter reacts after Australia’s Aaron Finch announces retirement from all forms of international cricket

Australia T20I captain Aaron Finch called time on a remarkable international career on Tuesday, February 7. Finch, who acquired the captaincy in 2021, led Australia to win their maiden 20-20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the final by eight wickets.

The two-time World Cup winner, Finch led Australia in a record 76 T20Is and 55 ODIs. He represented Australia in 254 international matches, which includes 5 Test matches, 146 ODIs and 103 T20Is. He made his international debut in January 2011 in a T20I against England and amassed more than 8,000 runs which includes 17 ODI centuries and two T20I hundreds before he announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old cricketer said that he is grateful to represent Australia for 12 years. He also said that the team winning the first 20-20 World Cup in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 are the two memories that he will cherish the most.

“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 the event,” Finch said after announcing his retirement.

“Team success is what you play the game for and the maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be the two memories I cherish the most. 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,” he added.

The right-handed batsman, who retired from ODI cricket in September 2022 to focus more on the shortest format of the game. He played his final international match against Ireland in the 20-20 World Cup in 2022 in which he scored 63 runs and helped his side win the match. He was last seen playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 season.

Here are some of the reactions from the fans to Finch’s retirement:

Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from T20i cricket.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 7, 2023

#Aaronfinch has retired from International cricket.

A wonder athlete and a great team man. A perfect partner and an able leader who won #Australia their first T20 World Cup. He will always be remembered in the annals of World Cricket.

Well played Champ! pic.twitter.com/wOgBTLCcwh

— Chup Bey! (@stud88282483) 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

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

Happy Retirement, Aron Finch. Well done, you had a glorious career. Wishing you good luck for the Life Coming ahead. It was a pleasure to watch you bat💯♥️. #Aaronfinch pic.twitter.com/XXEq45Wswi

— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) February 7, 2023

#AaronFinch has announced his retirement from International cricket.
Thanks @AaronFinch5 For all memories.#Cricket #t20cricket pic.twitter.com/MOjdSmOuLL

— Abhilash Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@mediabhii) February 7, 2023

An incredible international career comes to an end.
Thanks FINCHY 💛 #Aaronfinch

📷:ACB pic.twitter.com/6FRIsOpMwU

— Ezhan (@izhan_026) February 7, 2023

Thanks for the memories @AaronFinch5 🙏👏

Happy Retirement #Aaronfinch 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6YVC6UoQlH

— It's Me MR #TejRan Fam👑 (@MRxTweetz_) 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

One Of Australia's Great White Ball Cricketers!#CricketTwitter    #AaronFinch #Australia pic.twitter.com/vF4zGISYsq

— Jega8 (@imBK08) February 7, 2023

Many many congratulations @AaronFinch5 for your stellar career. Every thing comes to an end. You can be proud of what you have achieved as a cricketer and a captain. #AaronFinch pic.twitter.com/HKvTkobl8j

— 𝙈𝙙 𝘼𝙯𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣 (@azharsays_) February 7, 2023