Australian captain Aaron Finch is set to retire from one-day international cricket, with his final match to be played against New Zealand on Sunday.
Finch has been under pressure to retain his place in the side after a lean patch, failing to crack double figures in six of his last seven ODI innings.
The 35-year-old has managed just one half-century from 13 innings this year and has been sent packing for a duck five times.
Finch has played 145 ODI matches and Sunday will be his 55th match as captain, although he will continue to lead the men’s T20.
Finch guided Australia to a maiden Twenty20 World Cup title last year and Pat Cummins or Steve Smith are expected to take over the one-day captaincy.
“Being just over 12 months away from the 50+ World Cup, I thought the time was now,” Finch said.
“It’s important that whoever takes the captaincy from now on, whoever opens the batting from now on has the best chance to take the team forward and win the 2023 World Cup.
“I’m very comfortable and I’m sure I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
New Zealander Kane Williamson and his Australian counterpart Aaron Finch. Source: AFP
“I thank everyone who has helped and supported me on my way to this point.”
Australia play an ODI series against England that opened the door for Finch to retire at their home ground, the MCG.
“He could have tried to play another series, the (ODI) series against England after the World Cup and that would have been a fairytale ending at the MCG.
“But that’s never been my style, to be self-indulgent in any way.
“I had thought about it (retirement) before the series in Zimbabwe (last month).
“It wasn’t something where I woke up in the morning and just knew, but I knew I was very close to getting to the end.
“I had a good chat with coach Andrew McDonald the other day after the Zimbabwe series and I wanted him to continue to take some time and make sure I was making the right decision.
“I think you have to be able to give the new captain as much space and as much time to start rooting the way they want to play and take the team forward.”
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley praised Finch, backed by Finch, for leading his country to T20 World Cup glory later this year.
“Aaron is a hugely gifted and determined player whose outstanding actions with the bat have been matched by his strong and inspirational leadership,” he said.
“His decision to walk away from the ODI captaincy now is typical of his selfless approach to the game.
“I am delighted that Aaron will lead the Australian team in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where his leadership, experience and tactical ability will be instrumental in the defense of our T20 World Cup title on home soil “.