Cairns (Australia) (AP): Australia captain Aaron Finch says he's retiring from one-day international cricket effective Sunday after the team plays New Zealand in the third and final ODI.

A recent run of poor form has seen the 35-year-old Finch average just 3.7 runs, including three ducks, since scoring 62 runs against Sri Lanka in an ODI in June.

Cricket Australia said in a statement on Saturday that Finch will continue to captain Australia's Twenty20 side and will lead it in defence of its world title when the T20 World Cup is played in October and November in Australia.

"It has been a fantastic ride with some incredible memories," said Finch, who played 145 ODI matches, 54 as captain.

"I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of some brilliant one-day sides.

"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."

One of the most damaging opening batters in the world when at his best, Finch has scored 5,401 runs in the ODI format and averaged close to 40, including 17 centuries. But he's failed to get past 20 in his last seven innings and his continuing place in the side was in doubt.

Finch's decision leaves Australia searching for a new one-day captain ahead of next year's World Cup in India. Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins previously indicated he does not want to captain the ODI side.

"Being a bit over 12 months out from the 50-over World Cup, I thought the timing was right now," Finch said at a later media conference.

"I could have tried to play another series the series against England post-World Cup and that would have been a bit of a fairytale finishing at the MCG. But I think that's never been my style to be self-indulgent in any kind of way."

Australia has already clinched the three-match ODI series against New Zealand ahead of Sunday's final match in Cairns, north Queensland state, after winning the first two matches.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court has advocated for a compassionate approach prioritising "understanding" over "punishment" in criminal cases involving adolescent love, saying the law should evolve to acknowledge such relationships that were consensual and free from coercion.

Affirming that consensual and respectful adolescent love was a natural part of human development, Justice Jasmeet Singh said adolescents should be allowed to express their feelings and engage in relationships without fear of criminalisation.

"I believe that societal and legal views on adolescent love should emphasise the rights of young individuals to engage in romantic relationships that are free from exploitation and abuse," said the court.

In an order passed on January 30 and made available on February 14, the judge said, "Love is a fundamental human experience and adolescents have the right to form emotional connections. The law should evolve to acknowledge and respect these relationships, as long as they are consensual and free from coercion."

The high court said the focus of the law should be on preventing exploitation and abuse rather than punishing love.

"While the legal age of consent is important for protecting minors, I feel that adolescents should be allowed to express their feelings and engage in relationships without fear of criminalisation," it added.

The order went on to add, "I affirm that consensual and respectful adolescent love is a natural part of human development."

The high court therefore upheld a trial court judgement acquitting a man for the alleged offence of penetrative sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

In December 2014, a complaint was lodged with the police by the girl's father that his minor daughter had not returned home from tuition. An apprehension was raised against the man since he was also missing from his house.

Investigation was conducted and the girl, who was around 16 years of age at the time of the incident, was brought back home, while a case was lodged against the man for allegedly sexually assaulting the minor.

The high court, while upholding the man's acquittal and dismissing the state's plea against the trial court's decision, said the acquittal order was well reasoned and did not require any interference.

"I am of the view that it has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution that the prosecutrix is a minor as well as the prosecutrix is certain that the relationship was with her consent," held the court.

The judge relied on a previous judgement of the high court dealing with the proposition that when a girl over 16 years, made a statement that she had consented to the relationship and it could be accepted, the court was within its power in quashing the proceedings under Sections 363 and 376 of IPC.

The high court had cautioned that there could be no straitjacket formula to be applied.

"Therefore, the age of majority as prescribed, must be construed and interpreted in the context of the law for which it is being considered and in a case of this nature, where the minor is certain and unshaken in her opinion and desire, it would not be right and proper for this court to brush aside her views on the ground that she is not 18 years of age as on date and is only 16 years, 10 months, 21 days old," Justice Singh said.

The court observed that it would be harsh and unjust to convict an individual under the POCSO Act without definitive proof of the age of the prosecutrix, especially when the age gap for the minor survivor to attain majority was only one or two years.

The court said the legal system must safeguard the rights of young individuals to love while ensuring their safety and well-being.

"I advocate for a compassionate approach that prioritises understanding over punishment in cases involving adolescent love," the judge said.

Facts of the case "clearly" indicated to the court that the girl's willingness to accompany the man and he established physical relations with her consent.

The court held the girl's medical report did not support the prosecution's case in the absence of injuries of resistance to the sexual act.