Time for Australia to deliver
AUSSIE opener Aaron Finch says it’s time to stop talking and start delivering after a horrible year of one-day results.
Australia must overcome adversity at the Gabba today if it is to bounce back and beat England in the second one-day international.
Pace bowling spearhead Josh Hazlewood — Australia’s top-ranked ODI bowler — was yesterday sent home after failing to overcome a virus, while in-form Big Bash wicketkeeper Alex Carey was called into the squad as cover for Tim Paine (gastric illness).
With leading Ashes wicket taker Pat Cummins rested, Australia was already lacking one of its gun bowlers and Hazlewood’s scratching is another blow to its chances of levelling the five-match series.
Last Sunday’s five-wicket loss to England at the MCG was Australia’s eighth defeat in its past nine completed ODI matches.
Finch, who struck 107 in the first ODI, said Australia was aware of its recent 50-over struggles and the time had come to turn it around.
“We’ve talked about it a lot in terms of that middle-order batting,” he said.
“When we were having quite a bit of success we had a guy, one of the top four, going on and getting a really big hundred. When you’ve got guys constantly changing in the side, it can be hard to get a real partnership, especially with guys you haven’t batted with a hell of a lot.
“It’s time to just do it a bit more often. That’s one spot Steve [Smith, captain] and Darren [Lehmann, coach] have both identified quite critically in the past, and rightfully so.”
Complicating Australia’s recent struggles is the possibility of two team changes from the first match of the series. Perth quick Jhye Richardson will make his ODI debut today and could possibly be joined by Carey.
Finch conceded the instability within the Australian camp presented a challenge but Richardson and Carey were outstanding prospects.
“Any time your first-choice guys are unavailable or crook [is not ideal],” he said.