T20 World Cup: Australia beat Sri Lanka but Aaron Finch struggles in win

Aaron Finch struggled to find any form with the bat despite an undefeated in a win against Sri Lanka, with the Australian captain providing no excuses for his ‘poor’ innings.

Australia's Aaron Finch (L) and Marcus Stoinis walk off the field after their win in the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2022 cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Perth Stadium on October 25, 2022 in Perth. (Photo by Trevor Collens / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Australian captain Aaron Finch conceded his performance against Sri Lanka was “poor” despite carrying the bat through to victory in the T20 World Cup run chase.

Sri Lanka had set the hosts 158 for victory and ultimately the Australians sailed through to the total with 21 balls and seven wickets in hand.

The skipper made an undefeated 31, but it took him 42 deliveries, which made his strike rate of 73.8 the lowest ever in T20 World Cup history for any batter facing at least 40 balls.

Finch said he was happy he held onto his wicket through the difficult period of batting.

“Obviously my innings was unusual, it was poor I just couldn’t hit the ball,” he said.

“We knew that the first four or five overs with the ball, especially with (Lahiru) Kumara zipping it around, was seaming a long way there, so getting through that one or none down was going to be really important in setting up the back of the innings.

Picture: Paul Kane

“They bowled a hard length it was tough, it’s such a big ground that you feel as though its hard to just stand and deliver.

“Especially with a bit of extra bounce when the ball is seaming slightly you feel it’s just not quite as easy to hit the middle of the bat.

“That’s no excuse for the way I played but it was nice to get the two points.”

The captain was clearly frustrated throughout his innings, caught on stump mic exclaiming to himself about his poor form and saying to the umpire he would be “happy to take any ideas if you know how to hit that” after a difficult Kumara delivery.

It is the first time in the history of the T20 World Cup where a batter failed to hit a four in an innings of at least 40 balls, with a lone six as his only boundary.

He was also the only Australian batter with a strike rate of below 100, with Marcus Stoinis’ undefeated 59 off just 18 balls a big-hitting masterclass that brought the hosts back into contention.

Stoinis arrived at the crease after Glenn Maxwell’s good knock of 23 off 12, but still with 69 runs to be scored off less than eight overs.

Finch said Stoinis had “a pretty special innings”.

Marcus Stoinis scored 59 of the pair’s 69-run partnership. Picture: James Worsfold

“To come out with that intent I think is the main thing, when you walk out to bat and you have that presence at the crease, that’s half the battle in T20 cricket,” he said.

“And when you have the skill and the strength he’s got, it’s a pretty good combo.”

Australia will play England on Friday night at the MCG, with a win vital in progressing through to the semi-finals.

Originally published as T20 World Cup: Australia beat Sri Lanka but Aaron Finch struggles in win