Three-time Ashes-winning England pacer Steven Finn announced his retirement from all forms of the game on Monday, at the age of 34.
Steven Finn recently participated in the One-Day Cup, County Championship, and the Vitality Blast for Sussex. He last played for England in 2017.
Born in Watford, Steven Finn, one of the fastest England bowlers of his generation, featured in 36 Tests, 69 ODIs, and 21 T20Is, picking up 125, 102, and 27 wickets respectively in the three formats for his country, between 2010 and 2017.
Finn was part of the three Ashes-winning teams: in 2010/11 in Australia, when England won the urn in Australia for the first time since 1986/87, then when England won at home in 2013 and 2015 against Australia.
In his heydays, he attained the number 2 ICC ODI bowlers ranking and 5th in the ICC T20I bowlers ranking.
Ashes – Injuries hurt Steven Finn’s career
He played his first first-class match in 2005 for Middlesex and spent 17 years in London, playing for Middlesex, including winning the County Championship in 2016. He moved to Sussex in 2022 and spent two seasons at Sussex.
He played 164 first-class matches and finished with 570 red-ball wickets. He also snared 201 List-A scalps and 176 T20 wickets.
Injuries were a constant part of Steven Finn’s career, something which was also mentioned in his retirement note.
Sussex released a statement on Monday to confirm Finn’s retirement.
“Steven Finn has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The three-time Ashes series winner today confirmed in a statement that he has called time on his career, following a number of injuries,” Sussex said in their statement.
Adding: “Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury that has kept him out of the game in 2023 and has now decided that it is time to call it a day on a magnificent 18-year career.”
Steven Finn’s statement: “fighting a battle with my body”
“Today I am retiring from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. I have been fighting a battle with my body for the last 12 months and have admitted defeat to it.
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.
To have played 125 games for England, including 36 tests, far surpassed what I dreamed of. 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.
I retire with some amazing memories with England, Middlesex and Sussex, shared with fantastic people. Those will live with me forever.
Thank you to all the people who have followed and supported my career, especially my parents who allowed me to chase my dream when I was a youngster.
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. Thank you.”
