Finch takes the blame

OPENER Aa Aaron Finch has accepted some of the blame for the 40-run loss to England that ended Aust Australia’s Champions Trophy cam campaign at Edgbaston. The Ge Geelong batsman (pictured) lo looked in great touch after a s slow start, but his departure for 68 when well set saw Aus Australia surrender a position o of strength to post an unde under-par total of 277. The Victorian put on 96 fo for the second wicket with sk skipper Steve Smith, but the then mistimed a Ben Stokes delivery and Eoin Morgan took a spiralling catch. Australia was 2-136 when Finch departed and the 30-year-old said he felt he should have kicked on for a big score.

“We come here to win the tournament and anything less you’re disappointed but we were outplayed today,” Finch said.

“We had a great opportunity to post a really big score but myself and Smithy didn’t go on, which is what the situation needed at the time.

“From that point of view we have let our side down slightly.”

Australia had England in trouble at 3-35, but a 45-minute rain delay galvanised the host with Stokes and Morgan putting on 159 for the fourth wicket to win the game on the DuckworthLewis method.

With the lively home crowd lapping up the big hitting from the England duo, Finch came in for some special attention from the fans in the Eric Hollies Stand, where he was manning the boundary.

The burly Victorian was serenaded with chants of “Finchy’s going home” and his every touch of the ball was greeted with a roar of approval.

There were even jeers when Smith moved Moises Henriques to the boundary, with the crowd chanting for the return of their new hero. Finch said he found the whole situation to be great fun and insisted he gave as good as he got to the Birmingham crowd, who found a new Australian figure to target following the retirement of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.

“It was good ... the English have always got good banter,” Finch said.

“Luckily I won them over quite early and they were on my side. Like anywhere in England ... if you don’t get them onside early it could be a long day.

“You applaud their good stuff and give a bit back.”

Aside from Finch and Smith, only Travis Head made a mean- ingful contribution with an unbeaten 71.

He came in at No. 5 but ran out of partners quickly as the middle order disintegrated with five wickets falling for 15 runs.

The 23-year-old South Australian has enhanced his burgeoning reputation on this tour with another mature innings when his side needed it.

“I think I left a few out there and I think I was 20 short from a batting sense,” Head said

“But I feel very comfortable in this side now and although I only batted once in the tournament ... it was good to get the opportunity.”