Finch fired up and out for redemption
AARON Finch will look to spank Mitchell Johnson out of the WACA Ground tonight and has instructed his Melbourne Renegades to launch an aggressive attack on Perth Scorchers’ revered fast bowlers.
Johnson dismissed Finch for a duck at Etihad Stadium last month, with the Renegades captain frustrated by his tentative approach as he nicked a thin outside edge to the keeper in the first over.
Johnson completed that match with the outstanding figures of 12-95 from 24 overs in six Big Bash League matches.
But since that night Finch has blasted 51 (38) and 43 (23) to lift the Renegades to the top of the BBL ladder.
The Renegades and Scorchers are both 4-1, with tonight’s winner set to take top spot.
Finch said his next target was Johnson in what will be his last Big Bash game for the season.
“There’ll be one winner of that contest pretty quickly,” the destructive opener said.
“I’ll be attacking – and you have to be. He’s such a great bowler that if you let him settle into a rhythm, he’s going to make it tough work for you and everyone else in your side.
“You look to take him on and see what happens.”
The Renegades are against the Scorchers.
They are the only franchise yet to post a victory against a rival club.
“We have to be more aggressive with the bat,” Finch said.
“They’re a side that if you let them dictate, they’re unbelievably skilful with their defensive bowling
“We’re going to have to go all-out attack.
“We’ve got to change our approach – we haven’t beaten them from seven cracks.”
Johnson has sent 46 deliveries to Finch in T20 cricket, taking 4-42. Last month Johnson removed Finch, Cameron White and Brad Hodge.
The menacing bowler took 0-7 3-2 from 14 deliveries against the three batsmen.
Johnson said he knew of Finch’s attacking plans.
“I’ve known that’s always been his plan, to try and take me off my game early,” Johnson said.
“It’s a good tactic. I feel like I can sometimes go for early runs in this game when the ball’s hard and you’ve got two men back.”
Johnson was rested from Friday’s trip to Brisbane and he gave a rare insight into his T20 arsenal.
“My bouncer is my favourite ball, that sort of gets me going (when it’s) up at the armpit,” he said.
“Yorkers are probably my worst ball, although I’ve found the last two years I’ve been better with my execution.”
While some bowlers hide the ball as they run to the crease, Johnson said he was unfazed if batsmen could see his grip.
“You’ve still got to hit it,” Johnson said.
“If you’ve got your accuracy, I don’t care if they see it.”
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