Aaron Finch, Australia’s former World Cup captain, has announced his retirement from the Big Bash League (BBL) at the end of the current season with the Melbourne Renegades.
The 37-year-old made the declaration on Thursday, prior to the Renegades’ match against the Hobart Hurricanes, at Marvel Stadium, declaring that this will be his final BBL season.
Finch reflected on his amazing international and domestic career, adding he “loved every minute.” “There have been some real lows but also some great highs, and I’ve enjoyed every step of the journey.” No moment compares to winning the BBL championship, which meant a lot to me and is something I’ll never forget. I’m grateful to have spent my entire career with this organization.”
Finch led the Renegades for nine seasons in a row, from season two to season ten. With 3311* runs, he is the club’s leading run scorer and is second only to Chris Lynn on the Big Bash League’s all-time run scorer list.
After taking up the captaincy from current Australian men’s coach Andrew McDonald, Finch’s impact as a leader was felt throughout the club. In early 2019, he guided the Melbourne Renegades to their first BBL title in a dramatic final against rivals the Melbourne Stars.
“Finch has been an outstanding servant and leader with the Renegades; it’s such a rare feat in the Big Bash to spend your career at one club,” Renegades Head Coach David Saker said. Finch has had a hand in all the Renegades have accomplished.
“I first coached Finchy when he captained Victoria’s Under-19s, and I’ve watched him grow as a leader and as a person.” He’s a one-of-a-kind leader, tactically aware while making many judgments on instinct, which is a brave thing to do in the field.”
The Melbourne Derby against the Melbourne Stars on 13 January at Marvel Stadium will be the former Australian Captain’s final BBL match.
He is now the seventh-highest run scorer in T20 cricket, with 11,458 runs at 33.70 average and a strike rate of 138.21. His top score of 172 was against Zimbabwe in 2018 for Australia.
Finch had already announced his retirement from international cricket in February 2023, capping off a stellar career that saw him exit ODIs in late 2022.
Finch’s captaincy was highlighted by Australia’s victory in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
