Cricket News: Challenges Australia has to deal with after Aaron Finch retires

He said, "It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories. I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of some brilliant one-day sides. Equally, I have been blessed by all those I have played with and the many people behind the scenes."

"It is time now to give a new leader the best possible opportunity to prepare for and win the next World Cup. I thank all of those who have helped and supported my journey to this point," he added. 

Aaron Finch was having an awful run of form in One Day Internationals, scoring 169 runs in 13 innings, thus, averaging at 13.00. In these 13 innings, he got dismissed at a duck five times. This year has been very contrasting to 2020, where for the same number of innings as 2022, he accumulated 673 runs with a healthy average of 56.08. In those 13 innings, he had 2 tons and five half-centuries. 

Initially keeping his sights on the 2023 ODI World Cup, the recent Zimbabwe tour made him realise that the following year's tournament is out of reach, and he will be giving his best to defend the T20 title. 

Marking his ODI debut at MCG in 2013, he could have done a fairytale finish at MCG in the next series against England. But the player feels, "I think that's never been my style to be self-indulgent in any way. So it's important that whoever takes over the captaincy, and whoever opens the batting, is given the best opportunity to take the team forward and win the World Cup in 2023. I'm very comfortable and confident I would never have made it that far, just with my body as well as a bit of form."

Following the World Cup, Australia has no more T20I fixtures until next August against South Africa. "They'll be a decent break before anything else, so that will give me a chance to sit down and reassess where everything is at," he said, assessing his career in T20Is.

Cricket Australia's chief executive Nick Hockley said, "On behalf of Australian Cricket, I would like to congratulate Aaron on his vast contribution as captain of the Australian Men's ODI team and as a wonderful exponent of the 50-over format. I'm delighted Aaron will lead the Australian team into the forthcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup where his leadership, experience and tactical nous will be integral to the defence of our T20 World Cup title on home soil."

With his retirement, multiple questions will need addressing, like who will be opening the innings along with David Warner and who will lead the side in this format. While Alex Carey is the front-runner for the job who stood in place for Aaron Finch last year, Cricket Australia might also choose red-ball captain Pat Cummins to lead the side in the 50-over format. The return of Steven Smith and an outside option in Josh Hazlewood, who was held vice-captain, adds a few more candidates in the race.