PACEMAN BACKS FINCH TO TURN IT AROUND
AARON Finch has been the consummate leader despite a batting stretch that threatens his position as Australian T20 captain but his teammates will not give up on him.
Another failure against New Zealand on Thursday ensured the pressure continues to mount on Finch, pictured, who has averaged 15 in his past 26 innings in T20 cricket stretching back to the Indian Premier League, and then through the Big Bash.
He has not passed 50 once, although he did smash scores of 114, 60 and 75 in three ODIs against India last November. But his capacity to lead Australia at the T20 World Cup in November is being questioned.
Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson has seen those struggles up close at the Melbourne Renegades and now in the T20 outfit in New Zealand.
It is not surprising Richardson threw his support behind Finch to turn things around, because “he’s a gun”.
But he also said the skipper had not let his standards drop, despite his struggles with the bat, which have even reached home with his wife, Amy, copping abuse via social media.
“He hasn’t changed at all in terms of how he is around the group with us, how he is on the field being captain, and his plans, that‘s’ a massive tick for him,” Richardson said on Friday.
“To not let his form affect how he is away from cricket, but also how he is on the field, trying to marshal us, so big tick for him.
“We just want to see him make some runs for himself. We all know how tough the game can be when you are not getting the output you want.
“If you came in to our camp today, you wouldn‘t know he’s struggling for runs. He’s still the same ‘Finchy’. Everyone is behind him.”
Slumps are not new for Finch, who faced a similar scenario before the 2019 ODI World Cup, only to rediscover his form, and lead the Aussies to the semi-finals.
Richardson said “one shot” could be the key to turning things around.
“This kind of game, it could be one shot that he gets right that just flows on,” the fast bowler said.
“It would be a different story if this was something he hadn’t faced but everyone does. he’ll work it out, he’s a gun.”