Surrey have announced the re-signing of Australian opener Aaron Finch for the whole of the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast next summer.

The 30-year-old, who featured as an overseas player for the Oval side last season, scored 259 runs in six games, as well as averaging 48.66 in the Championship.

The Victoria-born right-hander, who is currently rated the No. 2 T20 batsman in the the ICC world rankings, holds the record for the highest T20 international score.

“We are very pleased to welcome Finchy back to the Kia Oval after his positive impact on and off the field last season,” Surrey’s director of cricket, Alec Stewart, said. “He remains one of the most destructive batsman in world cricket and I’m sure our members and supporters will enjoy watching him again.”

Finch has played 77 ODIs and 28 T20 international games for Australia and now he is currently playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.