- By Himanshu Badola
- Mon, 14 Aug 2023 03:39 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
England fast bowler Steven Finn has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The decision has come after Finn suffered a knee injury that kept him out of action for most of 2023 and forced him to decide on an end to his 18-year career.
"I have been fighting a battle with my body for the last 12 months and have admitted defeat to it," Finn said in a statement shared by Sussex Cricket. "I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to play cricket as my vocation since I made my debut for Middlesex in 2005. The journey hasn't always been smooth, but I have loved it, nonetheless."
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Finn represented the England national team in 36 Tests, 69 ODIs, and 21 T20Is after making his international debut in 2010 against Bangladesh.
The tall pace bowler had the ability to have enough bounce from the pitch due to his high-arm release and used to bowl consistently over 140-145 kph. He shined pretty early in his career, picking up crucial 14 wickets in England's win in the men's Ashes of 2010-11.
He also picked up 12 wickets, the second-most for England, in the 2015 Ashes that they won. Overall, he finished with 125 wickets in Tests, 102 in ODIs, and 27 in T20Is.
The 34-year-old played most of his domestic cricket for Middlesex before he decided to move to Sussex in 2022, picking up 21 wickets in 19 appearances for them. He finished his time with 570 wickets in first-class cricket.
"To have played 125 games for England, including 36 Tests, far surpassed what I dreamed of," Finn said. "I want to thank Sussex Cricket for their support over the last 12 months especially and for welcoming me wholeheartedly into the club at the beginning of last season. It really is a great place to play cricket and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to play more of a part on the field since joining the club."
"Cricket has given me a lot and I hope to give back to the game in some capacity in the future. But, for now, I'll enjoy watching on without wondering whether my body will be able to make it through another day's cricket."
Paul Farbrace, Sussex's head coach, paid tribute to Finn and said, "Steven has been a fantastic bowler for Middlesex, Sussex and England. I have had the real pleasure of watching him develop from a young bowler on the pathway to being a three-time Ashes winner.
"In our short time together here at Hove, Steven has been an outstanding role model, a top professional, and above all a fantastic person."