2019 Cricket World Cup: Aussie skipper Aaron Finch reveals diary entries help him get through hard times

Aaron Finch has revealed how he kept his emotions in check throughout the most turbulent 12 months of his career when he lost his Test spot and endured a horrific run of ODI form.

Aaron Finch says his diary entries give him clarity.

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Aaron Finch’s diary entries have helped keep the Australian captain’s emotions in check throughout the most turbulent 12 months of his career.

Finch scribbles in a notebook frequently, and often ineligibly, to help remind him of the good times and to focus on games.

The opening batsman reaches for his diary the night before games to study up on the bowlers he is about to face and their likely attacking plans against him.

(Aaron Finch says his diary entries give him clarity.

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“Yeah, no doubt I will (write notes before my first World Cup match),” Finch said.

“It’s just something that (I write) how I’m feeling and things like that just as a reference.

“So you can go back to and try to get in the same state of mind as when you were playing well. That’s more of a personal thing.”

Finch’s Test career started and finished while he also feared missing World Cup selection during a lean patch before hammering back-to-back scores of 116 and 153 not-out against Pakistan.

Finch is set to lead Australia against England in a practice match on Saturday night (EST) with Marcus Stoinis set to return.

The all-rounder missed this week’s win against West Indies but remains a vital part of the line-up given his straight hitting and bowling skills at the death.

The Aussie skipper is in a good frame of mind heading into the World Cup.

Nathan Coulter-Nile could be rested.

Assistant coach Ricky Ponting said that despite it being a practice match there was “a little bit more in it” against England.

“We’ll be doing everything in our power to win the game,” Ponting said.

“I agree (England is the tournament favourite). But World Cups are completely different than any other tournament you play and they’ll have more pressure on them playing at home than anybody else well.

“India are still a very dangerous one-day side as well. The whole world knows that and they’ve got probably the best fast bowling brigade they’ve had in a long time, as we saw in Australia during the summer.

“You put Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a batting line up in good, English conditions then they could be very dangerous.

“England probably are the favourites but we’ll wait and see how they play in the big games.”