Australia always peak at right time, warns Finch

CRICKET: Captain piles pressure on England as he eyes World Cup success

Aaron Finch has heaped the pressure on England by reminding the World Cup hosts of Australia’s unrivalled tournament record.

Pre-tournament favourites England have never won a World Cup, despite reaching the finals in 1979, 1987 and 1992, while Australia have lifted the trophy on five occasions.

Australia take on England at Lord’s today fully aware inflicting defeat on their fierce rivals would leave Eoin Morgan and company sweating on semi-final qualification.

And captain Finch jumped at the chance to reassert Australia’s winning mentality.

“I think that over the World Cup history, Australia have had a very good history of peaking at the right time,” said Finch.

“Over a lot of that history Australia have played their best cricket under the greatest pressure.

“And that’s a good lesson for everyone, the fact that we’ve got six guys in our squad who were part of the 2015 World Cup win is really valuable.

“We’re going in with a lot of confidence no doubt, we’ve been playing some really good cricket.

“But it’s about the team that holds their nerve the longest and under the highest pressure that will succeed, no doubt.”

Australia also boast two former World Cup winners among their coaching staff, something England cannot match.

Ricky Ponting tasted success three times in the tournament, captaining the side in 2003 and 2007, and Brad Haddin was part of the 2015 triumph.

Finch admitted the advice of both decorated coaches permeates deep through the current Australia squad

“We’ve also got Ricky Ponting with us, and Brad Haddin with us, as coaching staff who have won World Cups as well,” said Finch.

“So it’s just about the shared experience of what you might feel in a knockout game or a high-pressure game.”

England captain Morgan has remained unmoved in the face of suggestions the pressure is increasing on the hosts.

He rejected any notion of nerves in his side’s surprise losses to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and insisted the three big tests against Australia, India and New Zealand offer plenty of scope to secure a semi-final berth.

“Guys have performed under pressure for a long time, they have performed as favourites in series for the last two years,” said Morgan.

“I’ve no questions of us performing under pressure. I don’t think nerves played a part at all.”