Former World Cup-winning Australian captain Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from the Big Bash League (BBL) at the end of the current season with the Melbourne Renegades.

The 37-year-old revealed the announcement at Marvel Stadium on Thursday, prior to the Renegades’ match against the Hobart Hurricanes, claiming this will be his final BBL season.

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Finch reflected on his amazing international and domestic career, adding he “loved every minute.” “There have been some real lows but also some great highs, and I’ve enjoyed every step of the journey.” No moment compares to winning the BBL championship, which meant a lot to me and is something I’ll never forget. I’m grateful to have spent my entire career with this organization.”

Finch captained the Renegades for nine consecutive seasons, from season two to season ten. He is the club’s leading run scorer with 3311* runs and is second only to Chris Lynn on the Big Bash League’s all-time run scorer list.

Finch’s presence as a leader was felt throughout the club after taking over the captaincy from current Australian men’s coach Andrew McDonald. It culminated in early 2019, when he led the Melbourne Renegades to their first BBL title in a thrilling final against rivals the Melbourne Stars.

“Finch has been an outstanding servant and leader with the Renegades; it’s such a rare feat in the Big Bash to spend your career at one club,” Renegades Head Coach David Saker said. Finch has had a hand in all the Renegades have accomplished.

“I first coached Finchy when he captained Victoria’s Under-19s, and I’ve watched him grow as a leader and as a person.” He’s a one-of-a-kind leader, tactically aware while making many judgments on instinct, which is a brave thing to do in the field.”

The former Australian Captain’s final BBL contest will be the Melbourne Derby against the Melbourne Stars on January 13 at Marvel Stadium.

With 11,458 runs at 33.70 avg and a strike rate of 138.21, he is now the seventh-highest run scorer in T20 cricket. His best score of 172 came against Zimbabwe for Australia in 2018.

Finch earlier announced his retirement from international cricket in February 2023, bringing a conclusion to a brilliant career that saw him leave ODIs in late 2022.

Australia’s triumph in the 2021 T20 World Cup served as a highlight of Finch’s captaincy.