Carey has loads of faith in Finch
ALEX Carey has backed Aaron Finch to snap a form slump as Australia plots the “confidence boosting” revenge against India that emboldens its World Cup defence.
Australia enters a World Cup year without one-day series success since January 2017 against Pakistan and Carey concedes “it’s been a while” without winning.
“A series win would be a really big confidence booster,” said the vice-captain with Australia 1-0 up entering today’s game two in Adelaide.
“We definitely want to win a series against India, bounce back from that Test series.”
Carey and Finch have been united at the top of the order against India. Dumped from the Test side after averaging 16 against India, Finch (6) failed in the one-day series opener at the SCG.
The Australian one-day skipper, however, is “going fine” despite his lean run, insists keeper-batsman Carey.
“Finchy’s a really proud Australian cricketer and wants to bounce back, score big runs for us,” said Carey lauding Finch’s leadership and his 11 ODI tons.
“The work he’s doing off the field, he’s so close to nailing a match winning innings.
“For me to bounce off him in my role as well, he’s been amazing off the field, more so.”
Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell’s best batting slot in a side that has struggled to match the 6.25 run rate per over of World Cup favourite England continues to be a bone of contention.
If Maxwell isn’t required until the late overs at No.7 then the side is doing well, says Carey.
“You could argue the point he could be batting higher but it is pretty exciting to have that power hitting,” Ceary said.
Australia, notes Carey, has its tail up in the three match series following the impressive entry of Jason Behrendorff (2/39) and way Jhye Richardson (4/26) rushed through India in Sydney.
Competition for World Cup spots is positive.
“It is a really good opportunity for Behrendorff, Richardson and Peter Siddle who all played well the other night, it was a great opportunity for me too at the top of the order and Peter Handscomb (73) coming back in,” he said.
“If you look across the list, there are so many opportunities for guys to put their hand up and make a spot their own.”