ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Finch and Warner spell double trouble for Kiwis
WHEN Colac’s Aaron Finch first confronted David Warner on a cricket field as a 15 year-old, his first reaction was “who the hell is this bloke”.
Not much has changed since, only now the duo stand shoulder to shoulder as best mates and the gatekeepers of Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Today, the destructive openers will look to take down the undefeated New Zealand in front of their home fans in Auckland in the most anticipated clash of the Cup so far.
WHEN Aaron Finch first confronted David Warner on a cricket field, his first reaction was, “Who the hell is this bloke?”
Not much has changed, but now they stand shoulder to shoulder as best mates and gatekeepers of Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Finch likes Warner because the man who he desperately hopes to one day partner in the Test team hasn’t changed a bit since they were 15-year-olds at an interstate carnival.
“He came out at No.8, no helmet and started mouthing off at the Victorians,” said Finch of their first meeting.
“He played reverse sweeps first two balls and got NSW over the line.
“He just never changed, he stayed true to the way he plays.
“He’s always had that cockiness about him and he’s backed it up over the years.”
What’s bonded them as best mates? It’s pretty simple: they love a drink and a big bat.
“We have similar attacking styles and when you have a few days off, you enjoy a beer at the bar,” Finch said. “That’s how you bond over 14 years.
“It’s very exciting having seen Davey over the last two years start to dominate Test cricket. And (this World Cup) I’ve got the best seat in the house.”
But so far this tournament, it’s Finch who has been the star of the show, smashing a brutal 135 in front of 85,000 at the MCG in the opener against England.
Finch’s one-day record of six hundreds at 39.55 has put him in Warner’s class as one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket.
The focus is on helping Australia lift the trophy on home soil on March 29 in Melbourne, but then Finch wants only one thing.
And he knows that if he’s to open with Warner in the baggy green, he has plenty to prove.
“That’s my No.1 goal in the game — to play Test cricket for Australia.
“My record doesn’t reflect what I would like, but I’ve averaged 50 over my last eight or nine games.
“I haven’t played a hell of a lot of four-day cricket, so it’s definitely realistic and hopefully one day I’ll play in the baggy green with him.”
There is a big opportunity for Finch if he can improve his mediocre average of 29 in firstclass cricket.
He’s playing for Yorkshire this county season, and after the Ashes veteran left-hander Chris Rogers will vacate an opening spot in the Test team.
Whether he makes it or not, Finch and Warner will share the journey together.
“I think when you play with and against someone for so long, you get to know them inside out,” Finch said.
“You share a lot of ups and downs together.
“That’s what makes cricket such a great game. You go through a roller coaster and we’ve seen each other at high points and low points. That’s what makes you close.”