Aaron Finch take a bow!
His maiden ODI 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ has guided Australia home with eight wickets in hand. An unbelievable innings!#PAKvAUS SCORE 👇https://t.co/7hZcVUlmoC pic.twitter.com/pL1HsuIjY9
— ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2019
Australia are finding their form just at the right
time in one-day international cricket ahead of the defence of their World Cup
crown. The Baggy Greens had lost six bilateral series in a row before launching
an improbable comeback to defeat India on the road.
It was only the fifth time in
the history of a five-match series that a team had come from two games down
to triumph. The Aussies’ triumph has sent out a stark warning to the rest of
the world, including England, that they are not ready to give up their title
without fight when they arrive on English shores in June for the tournament.
Australia were hammered 5-0 by England on their last visit,
failing to muster a semblance of a fight as the world’s number one ranked team
dominated the series. The Baggy Greens were humiliated at Trent Bridge as Eoin
Morgan’s men smashed
the record for the highest score posted in 50 overs, notching 481 runs to
secure an emphatic victory.
Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins came to the fore for the
Aussies to inspire their comeback over India. With Steve Smith and David Warner
expected to return to the fold from their suspensions, Australia are assembling
a talented unit that could peak at the right time. Australia are backed in the cricket
betting odds at 9/2 to claim the crown for a sixth time, although it will
take a special effort to see off the Three Lions among others.
Aaron Finch has assumed the captaincy of the 50-over
side in lieu of Smith’s suspension and Tim Paine’s inability to make a
meaningful contribution with bat in hand. The 32-year-old has proven to have
the winning touch by guiding his team to victory in India along with their 2-0
lead over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates at the time of writing.
Losing Smith and Warner left a huge void not only in the batting ranks, but it also deprived Australia of their two senior players. The duo were the architects of their own downfall and only had themselves to blame. However, they not only cheated themselves, but also their team-mates, leaving the Aussies exposed. Paine was a man of good character, although he lacked the quality to make a decisive impact. Finch assumed the role and has approached it in the same manner as his batting – an aggressive but fair approach. His innings of 93 was the spark that launched the comeback against India before Khawaja took the starring role with the bat.
Aaron Finch hits peak form at the right time! Scores his 13th ODI 💯 in 97 balls. #PAKvAUS https://t.co/ypqlMzxUT2 pic.twitter.com/K96IgVMdBS
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 24, 2019
However, Finch
has come to the fore in the UAE, with back-to-back centuries against
Pakistan to put his team in command of the series. His form will be crucial if
he wishes to lift the World Cup come the second week of July at Lord’s.
The 32-year-old failed to fire against England last
summer, but he does have a good record against the Three Lions. He has scored
six centuries in 25 matches, averaging 50.14 against his side’s biggest rivals.
Finch’s form and leadership could be the decisive factor in the World Cup,
especially against England in a potential final between the two teams.
