Aaron Finch is Australia’s most successful T20I batsman as well as captain. He wreaked havoc whenever he entered the field to open Australia’s innings. Then in 2021, he led his side to their maiden ICC T20 World Cup title.
On Tuesday (February 7), Finch bid adieu to T20I cricket, meaning, he took retirement from international cricket. Last year in September, he announced his decision to retire from ODIs. The 36-year-old, however, will continue to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) as well as other domestic and league matches in other countries.
Since making his debut for Australia in a T20I in January 2011, Finch amassed 8,804 runs in all formats, including 17 ODI centuries and two T20I tons. His total score of 3120 from 103 matches is the highest for his side, plus the 172-run knock against Zimbabwe is the highest ever in the history of the format.
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Aaron Finch’s top 5 knocks in international cricket
As Finch took retirement, here are his top five knocks in white-ball cricket, which also includes his two centuries in T20Is.
100 off 116
His century ruthlessly destroyed the eventual champions England at the iconic Lord’s in the group stage match at the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup. His 100 off 116, including 11 fours and two maximums, led the Aussie to 285/7. Australia scripted a 68-run victory to march to the semi-final.
81 off 116
Finch played an integral part for his team in the 2015 ICC ODI World Cup. In a semi-final match against the defending champions India at the SCG, Steve Smith scored the most with his 105-run knock, but Finch also contributed a valuable 81 from 116 balls, helping his team win the match by 91 runs.
135 odd 128
This knock came at the MCG during the 2015 ICC ODI World Cup, which Australia would win later. In their campaign opener against England, Finch’s knock helped his side defeat England by a huge 111 runs. Courtesy of his massive knock of 135 off 128 balls, the Aussies put on 342 before the bowlers did the rest of the job by bundling out Eoin Morgan and co. for 231 runs.
156 vs 63
Nearly a decade ago, England won the toss and asked the Aussies to bat first. Finch would score 128 runs in 11 fours and 14 sixes alone. He batted at a strike rate close to 250 while reaching his century. The English side also gave a tough fight while chasing 249 but eventually reached just 209/6. This knock is also the third-highest score in T20I history.
172 off 76 balls
The contest was between two unequal sides in July 2018. Australia were asked to bat first, and Finch entered with opening partner D’Arcy Short. The two got their team off to a flying start with Finch completing his half-century in just 22 balls and reaching his 100 in just 50 balls. He and D’Arcy made a mockery of the Zimbabwe bowlers, even the first wicket fell in the 20th over. The pair made a 223-run stand between them. Finch scored 172 runs off just 76 balls, which was laced with 16 boundaries and 10 maximums. This is the highest score in the history of the format.
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