Australia skipper Aaron Finch, who is playing his last One Day International, received a Guard of Honour from New Zealand players in their third match of the three-match ODI series on Sunday (September 11).
As soon as Finch walked out to bat in his last ODI, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson along with his team gave the star Australia player a grand reception.
Earlier, Finch announced his retirement from ODIs just before the match on Saturday (September 10). He was going through a lean patch with the willow for the last 12 months in limited overs.
It was Aaron Finch’s 146th and final ODI. With the series win, Australia rested opener David Warner, who was replaced by Josh Inglis. Marcus Stoinis is out with a side strain and is replaced by Cameron Green.
The video of this moment was posted by the official Cricket Australia Twitter account.
“Classy stuff from the Black Caps as Aaron Finch makes his way to the middle,” wrote cricket.com.au on Twitter.
Finch’s final ODI innings did not go as expected, with Tim Southee dismissing him for 5 off 13 balls. It was the end of a successful career.
The 35-year-old played 145 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and led Australia in 54 of them. Finch made his One Day International debut in 2013 and scored 5041 runs with 17 centuries and 30 fifties at an average of 39.13. In his ODI career, the Australian opener was instrumental in Australia’s 2015 ICC World Cup victory.
Australia are firmly on top as New Zealand have lost their four wickets with just 106 runs on the board and the hopes of them chasing down 268 rely heavily on the shoulders of Kane Williamson. Steve Smith (105), Marnus Labuschagne (52), Alex Carey (42*) and Cameron Green (25*) helped Australia set a 268-run target for New Zealand in the third and final ODI.
Meanwhile, India batting juggernaut Virat Kohli in an Instagram comment paid tribute to the Australia skipper.
“Well done Finchy. It was great to play against you all these years and with you as well at RCB. Enjoy the next phase of your life to the fullest,” said Kohli.
