Aaron Finch’s half-century drought continued but the Australia skipper did manage to finally get a decent start in the second ODI against India at Nagpur.
Having endured a horrendous few months in international cricket which had seen him make his Australia Test debut before being dropped, the pressure was on Finch to deliver in the second ODI against India.
After being dismissed for a duck in the first ODI, Finch reached 37 off 53 at Nagpur before he was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. Finch added 83 runs for the opening wicket along with Usman Khawaja but the tourists ultimately suffered an eight-run defeat.
Lamenting his failure to convert a good start, Finch said, “Not enough (runs). It would have been nice to kick on. It was OK to get a start but starts don’t win you games.”
It has now been 21 innings since Finch last registered an ODI half-century with the Aussie skipper’s patchy form coming increasingly under the scanner in the lead up to the ICC World Cup.
Finch’s 53-ball stay was ended by Kuldeep Yadav.
Coach Justin Langer had earlier given his backing to the opening batsman and called for patience regarding his dismal form. The 37 in the second ODI was in fact Finch’s highest score in international cricket in over three months.
Pace bowler Pat Cummins too has come out in support of the under-fire batsman and has backed him to rediscover his best following his innings in the second ODI.
“He’s such a class player. His record is great in ODI cricket, so runs were always going to come. He batted really well with Usman at the start,” said Cummins.
“You see how effective he is. Once he gets going the field goes back, the bowers start plan B. I know bowling in domestic cricket against him, you do feel under pressure if he’s firing.”
Finch and Australia now trail 0-2 in the five-match series and will be desperately searching for a win when the third ODI against India at Ranchi gets underway on Friday.
