After announcing his retirement from ODIs, Finch recounts the most memorable moments of his nine-year career across formats
As Aaron Finch took the wraps off his ODI career, with only one more match to play, he was able to reflect on some of the highlights. During his press conference at the Team Hotel in Cairns on Saturday, he touched on several moments in a nine-year career in a format that will stick with him.
Finch made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at the MCG in January 2013, two years after his international debut in T20Is. He scored 16 runs while batting with the late Philip Hughes, who was on debut and scored a century before falling to Ajantha Mendis after a half-century partnership. Current national selector George Bailey was Australia’s captain while current teammates Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell were also in the XI.
“Debuting against Sri Lanka at the MCG, I think I only got 16, but it was something you dream of, playing as a Victorian at the MCG and making his debut there as well,” Finch said. “It’s really important to never take anything like that.” He was dropped after the first two matches of that series. But later in 2013, he scored his maiden century against Scotland and a year later scored a century against England at the MCG.
World Cup victory on home soil
By the start of the 2015 World Cup, Finch had a very solid ODI record and had five centuries under his belt. He helped set the tone for Australia’s tournament by scoring 135 in their opening match against England at the MCG, before scoring a run in the first over.
“The World Cup is the pinnacle of one-day cricket, so winning at home at the MCG was special,” Finch said.
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By the time of the next ODI World Cup in England, Finch was the captain, but the lead-up was not smooth. He took charge in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal and struggled for form during the 2018-19 home season against South Africa and India. Finch then went on to score a back-to-back century against Pakistan and two more in the World Cup that followed, although Australia’s tournament ended at the hands of England in the semi-finals.
“The first team to win 3-2 after going 2-0 against India in India, which was huge for us at the time as it headed towards the World Cup in England and we were in great form. I don’t,” recalled Finch. This is something that deserves a special series. As in my mind.”
“I am proud and happy with the work the team has done leading the two formats. It’s not just me, I can tell you there are a lot of people who have done some good work. The way we play In all three formats, it’s exciting to watch, it’s always aggressive and aggressive. I think cricket is in a pretty good place now.”
watching others grow
The game needed some significant rebuilding when Finch took over. While he remains mid-table, currently No. Finch has focused on the development of spinners, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, in both the limited-overs formats.
“Watching the rise of the camps over the years has been something I’m also proud of and Ashton Egger … my greatest satisfaction. I’ve loved every single one of them.”