CHAPPELL CALLED ON
Finch quizzes great on the art of batting
CRICKET: Aaron Finch has turned to Greg Chappell for guidance on the “art of batting”, as the new captain fights to lead Australia out of its crises on and off the field.
Finch heaped praise on sacked high-performance boss Pat Howard yesterday and conceded the bloodletting at front office was a potential distraction for a top order trying to overcome confidence issues and end the worst losing streak in Australian ODI history.
Chairman David Peever was forced to resign on the eve of the opening one-day loss to South Africa in Perth – and as the embattled side looked to start its preparations in Adelaide, news filtered through that Howard had been axed.
Meanwhiler, Australia’s focus needs to be solely on what is happening out in the middle and the chronic batting collapses that have led to 17 losses in 19 matches just months out from a World Cup defence.
Chappell was in Adelaide to select the side, but yesterday one of the game’s greatest technicians doubled as batting coach for Finch and his struggling top order.
“I managed to catch up with him for a chat before about technique and some minor changes (I want to make),” Finch said.
“Someone who is as successful as he was as a cricketer and then as a coach as well, to be able to (tap into) his knowledge and his thoughts on technique and the basics of batting ... I think just the overall art of batting ... is something that’s probably been missing the last little while.
“There’s been a lot of focus on technique and things like that but ... it’s been great having Greg around again to be able to pass that stuff around to the boys.”
Finch admitted it was a strange feeling waking up and not having Howard around the team as he otherwise might have been on match eve.
“I think Pat did an outstanding job for the last eight years,” he said.
“I think when you’re in his position, you’re in a no-win position.
“A lot of the time you have to rob Peter to pay Paul … what is best for the men’s side mightn’t be the best thing for one state in particular.
“He was in a really difficult situation and did an unbelievable job during that period.
“It’s unfortunate Pat’s gone. I know how much he loved the game and how much time and effort he put into the best interests of Australian cricket.”