Finch says stop the chat and just do it
AUSSIE opener Aaron Finch says it’s time to stop talking and start delivering following a horror year of one-day international results.
Australia must overcome adversity at the Gabba today if they are to bounce back and beat England in the second game of the series.
Pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s topranked 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 (gastro).
With leading Ashes wicket-taker Pat Cummins rested, Australia were already lacking one of their gun bowlers and Hazlewood’s scratching is another blow to their chances of levelling the five-match series.
Australia’s five-wicket loss to England at the MCG on Sunday was the eighth defeat in their past nine completed ODI matches.
Four of those losses were during a challenging fivematch series in India last year while the other four were spread across New Zealand and the ICC Champions Trophy in England. Finch, who struck 107 in the first ODI, said Australia were aware of their recent 50over 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.
Perth quick Jhye Richardson will make his ODI debut in the day-night match today and could possibly be joined by Carey, who whacked a brilliant 100 from just 56 balls for the Adelaide Strikers on Wednesday.
WHEN YOU’VE GOT GUYS CONSTANTLY CHANGING IN THE SIDE, IT CAN BE HARD TO GET A REAL PARTNERSHIP AARON FINCH