Finch now primed to flay Kiwis: Clarke
Michael Clarke has predicted that struggling opener Aaron Finch could set the MCG alight on Sunday by scoring a defining century in the World Cup final.
“Don’t be surprised if he walks out on Sunday and makes an unbelievable hundred,” Clarke said after Australia trounced India by 95 runs in the semifinal at the SCG.
“His time in the middle today will allow him to walk out on Sunday and play with freedom.”
While Finch was clearly frustrated with his unconvincing 81 that helped Australia maintain their perfect semifinal record, Clarke was sure the opener was poised to have a massive impact on his home ground. Finch struck 135 against England at the MCG in the World Cup opener six weeks ago but has battled for fluency and impact since then.
Australia outclassed India with bat and ball, ensuring they did not drop a match in any format this summer to the reigning World Cup champions.
Clarke also identified the loss to New Zealand in the group match as the catalyst for the team gathering momentum as it approached the final against the tournament co-hosts.
“It gave us a bit of kick up the backside,” he said.
“We had a good look at a very good team playing at the top of their game. Our attitude since that day has been exceptional.
“We have grabbed momentum and we have improved with every game.”
Finch put on a second-wicket stand of 182 with Steve Smith whose 105, his eighth international century of the summer and best one-day effort, set Australia on the path to 7-328. India rarely threatened and were dismissed for 233 with Australia’s pace attack sharing eight wickets to go with two direct-hit run-outs.
“It was nice to have a partnership with Aaron to set us on the path to a big score,” Smith said.
“He got a bit frustrated with a couple of shots off the spinner that he couldn’t get through the gap but the time in the middle will do him a world of good.
“He knows the MCG better than anyone because he plays his State cricket there and we saw how well he played in the first match of the World Cup against England.”
The questions over Finch’s form have provided Australia’s only genuine headaches in recent weeks but Clarke was confident that no change would be made to the team and that it was playing its best cricket at the most important time.
Smith looms as one of New Zealand’s biggest challenges, though Indian captain MS Dhoni identified veteran spinner Daniel Vettori as the key to halting the Australian run machine.
He predicted that New Zealand had the firepower to take the final from Australia.
But the Black Caps would have to find a way to combat Smith.
“Vettori’s performance will be crucial because he can take wickets in the middle overs and will be a big part of their plans,” Dhoni said.
