Australian limited overs captain Aaron Finch has confirmed that Sunday's ODI against New Zealand in Cairns will be his last.
The skipper, who has been in horrid form with the bat in recent times, confirmed he would retire from the 50-over format after the match, with Australia now having a little over 12 months to prepare for the 50-over World Cup under a new captain.
Finch will continue captaining Australia's T20 team ahead of the World Cup in that format, with the tournament to be held in Australia starting next month.
Australia only have eight T20Is remaining before the World Cup, with three against England and two against the West Indies both at home, as well as a short hop to India for a three-match T20I series.
It meant Finch standing down from the T20 side was unrealistic this close to the tournament, although it appears likely that the tournament, where Australia will defend the crown they won in the United Arab Emirates, will be the big-hitting opener's international swansong.
The 35-year-old, who has scored 17 centuries for Australia's ODI team to sit fourth on the overall list behind Ricky Ponting, David Warner and Mark Waugh, said he had made some incredible memories.
“It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories,” Finch said.
“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.”
Finch has scored just one half century in his last 13 ODI innings, and hasn't scored more than 15 during the first five innings of the summer, with a three-match series preceding the two played against New Zealand so far.
There is a sense of jumping before being pushed from the role for Finch, who has talked openly about next year's ODI World Cup being the "ultimate goal" following the semi-final loss to England at the 2019 edition of the tournament.
Australia will have some time to appoint a new captain, with the next ODI series (which will come at home against England) not scheduled until after the T20 World Cup.
