The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Finch insists visitors have no scars
Aaron Finch insists Australia have no scars after last year’s World Cup semifinal defeat to England ahead of this summer’s white-ball series between the teams.
Eoin Morgan’s men won by eight wickets after dismissing their rivals for 223 at Edgbaston en route to becoming world champions on home turf in 2019.
The countries renew acquaintances today, with three Twenty20 matches at the Ageas Bowl followed by three one-day internationals at Emirates Old Trafford.
While Finch was eager to point out the first white-ball meeting between the sides since last July is in a different format, he highlighted the skill of their opponents.
“Looking back to that game, we didn’t get enough runs. We were three down early with the bat and always chasing our tail,” Australia’s captain said.
“When you have a quality side, well the best in the world, chasing a small total and with how aggressive they are, you need early wickets and they blew us out of the water. It was a tough day but it is a different format and we are not holding any scars over that, I can guarantee that in T20 cricket.”
Today’s match in the sprint format will be Australia’s first competitive fixture since March when the Covid-19 pandemic forced their white-ball series with New Zealand to be called off.
During the enforced break, Finch revealed plans to win back the World Cup in 2023 stepped up a notch with no cricket to focus on.
England captain Morgan repeatedly spoke about the importance of a fouryear cycle put in place after the current world champions had disappointed in the 2015 edition and Australia are eager to follow a similar template.
Finch added: “I think the long play is honestly really important. Probably what the Covid break did for Australian Cricket was give us the chance to sit back and look at everything as a whole.”
One player who may not be involved is Marnus Labuschagne despite a 51-ball century in the final intra-squad match. Finch said: “We are pretty settled on the way we structure our T20 side. He played nicely the other day, but I think he might have to wait a little bit longer.”