Finch tells bats to stand up
AARON Finch has told Australia’s batsmen they need to build more matchwinning totals as they attempt to end their ODI form slump against New Zealand.
The hosts enter their final three games of the home summer on the back of five straight losses, after defeats on the road to South Africa and India.
Australia went at a run-rate of less than a run a ball in the last four of those games, as they found it tough going on the slower wickets in South Africa. Another slow wicket is expected at the SCG for games today and Sunday.
But Finch said Australia’s top three of himself, David Warner and Steve Smith had to accept it was on them to pilot the hosts to bigger scores.
“At the end of the day it comes down to the top three,” Finch said. “As experienced players Dave, myself and Steve haven’t got as many runs as we should have. That’s where the buck stops.
“And probably (we need to take) that next step from 260 or 280 totals to getting matchwinning totals on the board.”
Finch is likely to stick with a similar team that played the majority of the series in South Africa for the Sydney games.
Mitch Marsh would remain at No.6 as the legitimate allrounder, with D’Arcy Short and Marnus Labuschagne chipping in overs as spinners.
“I’m keen to give them as long as possible,” Finch said. “If you look at our last 20 games that middle order combination hasn’t been very stable.
New Zealand are toying with the idea of playing two spinners.