ART OF BATTING

AARON Finch has turned to Greg Chappell for guidance on the “art of batting” as the new captain fights to lead Australia out of its crises on and off the field.

Finch heaped praise on departing high performance boss Pat Howard and conceded the bloodletting at front office posed as a potential distraction for a top order desperately trying to overcome confidence issues of their own and end the worst losing streak in Australian ODI history.

On the eve of the opening ODI loss to South Africa in Perth, chairman David Peever was forced to resign, and as the embattled side looked to start its preparations in Adelaide, news filtered through that Howard had been axed.

However, Australia’s focus needs to be solely on what is happening out in the middle and the chronic batting collapses that have led to 17 losses in 19 matches just months out from a World Cup defence.

Chappell is in Adelaide to select the side, but yesterday one of the game’s greatest ever technicians doubled as batting coach as Finch and his struggling top order looked to rise out of their funk and keep the series alive against South Africa.

“I managed to catch up with him for a chat before about technique and some minor changes (I want to make),” Finch said. “Someone who is as successful as he was as a cricketer and then as a coach as well, to be able to (tap into) his knowledge and his thoughts on technique and the basics of batting (is huge).

“I think just the overall ‘art of batting’, which is something that’s probably been missing the last little while. There’s been a lot of focus on technique and things like that but at the end of the day, run-making is your job. And it’s about what is best for you to do that.

“It’s been great having Greg around again to be able to pass that stuff around to the boys.”

Finch admits it was a strange feeling waking up and not having Howard around the team as he otherwise might have been on match eve.

While the experienced skipper has been around too long to let outside noise get in the way, others in the line-up might be more vulnerable.

Finch senses confidence is down and knows the key to restoring it is to hone in on the basics.

“At times it’s probably affected guys but it’s about getting back to the basics of partnerships and making sure you connect with your partner when you first get out there,” he said.

“You know the first 10 or 15 balls of anyone’s innings is when they’re most vulnerable.

“I think to start the basics really well and just get that five to 10-run partnership, or if you go balls it might be facing 10 balls between you and just starting to build that.

“When we talk about confidence in the batting group it’s about not letting outside distractions affect your game. There’s been a lot of media about Cricket Australia recently. A lot of media about our batting.

“When there are changes and there are things being said and written about, it’s hard not to read it sometimes when it’s everywhere.

“If you can put that to one side and focus on the next ball and really make sure that you’re committed to watching the ball and being 100 per cent committed to your partnership, I think that’ll go a long way towards turning things around quickly.”

Finch said Howard would be missed.

“I think Pat did an outstanding job for the last eight years. I think when you’re in his position, you’re in a no-win position,” he said. “A lot of the time you have to rob Peter to pay Paul … what is best for the men’s side mightn’t be the best thing for one state in particular.

“It’s unfortunate Pat’s gone. I know how much he loved the game and how much time and effort he put into the best interests of Australian cricket.”