Aaron Finch to end Big Bash career

Finch, who is 37 years old, has made 66 runs in three innings for Melbourne Renegades in the latest edition of the tournament but hasn't played since December 23

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch will end his Big Bash career at the end of the current season.

Finch, who is 37 years old, has made 66 runs in three innings for Melbourne Renegades in the latest edition of the tournament but hasn't played since December 23.

His most recent cricket beforehand came in a T10 competition in the United States featuring a mixture of veteran current players and retired greats, such as Jacques Kallis, with whom Finch opened the batting for California Knights.

The right-hander is the seventh-highest run-scorer in T20 history and was also the seventh-highest run-scorer in the inaugural Big Bash in 2011/12, when those more prolific included Herschelle Gibbs, Marcus North and Owais Shah.

He has been one of the format's most powerful hitters, leading Australia to T20 World Cup glory in 2021, while also opening the batting with David Warner when Australia won the 50-over World Cup in 2015. His 172 against Zimbabwe in 2018 remains the second-highest individual score in the format's history.

More recently, he has taken up commentary berths, but he will sign off as a well-respected modern great.

^{Finch poses for a photo ahead of the launch of the Big Bash in 2011 (Hamish Blair/Getty Images)}

"To everyone who's been part of the journey with me – our members, fans, supporters, my team-mates and all who have had a part to play at the club at all levels – thank you," he said, reflecting on his time at Melbourne Renegades, the only team he's ever played for in the Big Bash. Only Chris Lynn has scored more runs in the tournament.

Renegades have struggled this season, with Joe Clarke ruled out for the remainder with a quad injury and fellow overseas player Mujeeb Ur Rahman seeing his involvement curtailed by a row with the Afghanistan Cricket Board over his no-objection certificate. Quinton de Kock's spell at the club was also less fruitful than hoped for; one of his appearances was cut short by a dangerous pitch at Geelong.

"I'm just getting old!" added Finch. "When you look around the competition and our side in particular, there are some great young players coming through. I think now is the right time."

David Saker, head coach of Melbourne Renegades, added: "Finchy has been an outstanding servant with the Renegades.

"It's such a rare feat in the Big Bash to spend your career at one club. Everything that's been successful with the Renegades, Finchy has had everything to do with it."

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