Aaron Finch silences critics as Australia revives T20 World Cup campaign

The Australians have gotten their T20 World Cup campaign back on track, with skipper Aaron Finch finally finding the middle of his bat.

Nic Savage

@nic_savage1

3 min read

October 31, 2022 - 9:58PM

Aaron Finch is back.

Australia has toppled Ireland in Brisbane to put the reigning champions one step closer towards booking their spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, with Finch unearthing some much-needed form with the bat.

But a hamstring complaint for the 35-year-old has soured Australia's 42-run triumph, putting the captain in doubt for the remainder of the tournament.

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The Aussie skipper's inconsistent batting has been one of the team's biggest talking points throughout the T20 World Cup, with the Victorian struggling to find the middle of his willow this summer.

Finch copped heavy criticism following last week's seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka, and rightly so. His 31* (42) at Perth Stadium was tough to watch, prompting calls for him to slide down the order or be axed from the starting XI altogether.

But he finally rediscovered his mojo at the Gabba on Monday evening, smacking 63 (44) against Ireland in Australia's must-win Super 12 contest.

It was his highest T20I score in 33 innings.

Finch, later named Player of the Match, admittedly was far from his best in the Queensland capital, scratching his way towards 30 before accelerating after the drinks break.

He slapped five boundaries and three sixes as Australia registered 5/179 from their 20 overs.

Maybe not as upset as he was the other night but Aaron Finch looked quite peeved as he walked off the Gabba. Was certainly striking it like the Finch of old for most parts of his innings today #T20WorldCup
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 31, 2022

Couldnâ€™t be happier for Finchâ€¦looked great out there. Now for the most important aspect, to get the win!! #T20WorldCup
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) October 31, 2022

Marcus Stoinis plundered an entertaining 35 (25) during the death overs, while fellow all-rounder Mitchell Marsh scored a handy 28 (22).

Josh Little was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, taking 2/21 from his four overs, while fellow seamer Barry McCarthy snared three wickets.

Any hope of Ireland pulling off an upset victory quickly disappeared when part-time spinner Glenn Maxwell (2/14) and paceman Mitchell Starc (2/43) each struck twice in the Powerplay to leave the Irish reeling at 5/25 after four overs.

Starc knocked over Curtis Campher and George Dockrell for ducks with a pair of trademark in-swingers that crashed into the stumps, sending the Brisbane crowd into a frenzy.

Curtis Campher of Ireland is clean bowled by Mitchell Starc. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Irish wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker and teammate Gareth Delany revived the innings, somewhat, combining for a 43-run partnership before Stoinis joined the party, becoming the third Australian to take a wicket with their second delivery of the match.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2/19) then cleaned up the tail as Ireland limped towards 137, all out in the penultimate over.

Tucker played a lone hand in the run chase, frustrating the Aussies with an unbeaten 71 (48) that featured nine boundaries and a six. None of his teammates scored more than 14.

It wasn't enough to prevent a heavy defeat, but the 26-year-old took a large chuck out of Australia's precious net run rate.

Aust were looking at a huge net run rate boost, but Tucker's rearguard is changing that with every run #T20WorldCup
— Daniel Brettig ðŸ (@danbrettig) October 31, 2022

Australia’s performance was anything but perfect – veteran opener David Warner registered yet another low score, while Pat Cummins completely botched a regulation catch at square leg that would have sent Tucker back to the sheds for 35.

But the victory puts the reigning T20 World Cup champions in a considerably better position on the ladder, improving their net run rate to -0.304.

It means that Australia will qualify for the semi-finals if they defeat Afghanistan in their final Super 12 match and New Zealand topples England on Tuesday evening.

However, there were a couple of worrying injury concerns for the Australians on Monday evening, with Tim David going off with hamstring tightness and Finch hobbling from the field with a similar complaint.

“A little hammy twinge, so I'll get scans tomorrow," Finch said at the post-match presentation.

"Unfortunately I’ve had a history of them.

"It doesn’t feel too bad at the moment but generally overnight they can stiffen up a bit, but we’ll get a scan and get the full results.”

The full extent of both injuries will be revealed in the coming days, but young all-rounder Cameron Green and former Australian captain Steve Smith are patiently waiting in the wings if required.

Australia will next face Afghanistan at Adelaide Oval on Friday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT.