Aaron Finch finds his groove after letting actions do the talking
A change in leadership style has helped Aaron Finch evolve from possible ODI discard after a lean run last summer to the standout skipper of the World Cup.
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Aaron Finch has gone from the crossroads of his career to creating Australia’s path to glory by finding the form of his life as World Cup captain.
Finch, 32, struck his second century in three games — and his second World Cup ton against England — to help Australia lock in its eighth World Cup semi-final.
It was then Finch who decided to break up the Mitchell Starc-Patrick Cummins new-ball partnership by giving Jason Behrendorff the first over in a move that set up the left-armer’s maiden five-wicket haul.
Australia started the clash against England at Lord’s underdogs and finished favourites for a sixth World Cup as its reputation as the best-drilled team swelled.
The Aussies are 7-0 in semi-finals while England has been left in a fight to reach the final four for the first time since 1992.
Finch suspected his hopes of leading Australia at a World Cup were shot after he was removed as skipper before the T20 tournament in 2016.
But after eight seasons as Melbourne Renegades captain the crushing batsman from Colac has evolved into the World Cup’s standout leader, according to England great Michael Vaughan.
“I’ve changed a lot,” Finch said. “I used to talk a lot and some feedback from the boys was: ‘Don’t talk so much’. So I took that on board.
“I don’t tend to talk as much around team meetings, I try and let everyone else have their own say and just contribute where I need to.”
Finch has also carried a team that entered the tournament burdened by possible distractions.
From the Steve Smith and David Warner sideshow to wiping Australia’s miserable two years in ODI cricket, Finch has led Australia to the top of the World Cup ladder by striking 496 runs himself.
Warner (500 runs) and Finch (496) rank No.1 and 2 in the tournament.
Selectors privately discussed punting Finch when he averaged just seven runs in five-straight ODIs during a lean run last summer but suddenly he is the backbone of the inspired charge to the semi-finals.
Finch’s century at Lord’s bodes well for the final, although the venue was already a happy hunting ground for the Aussies.
Since 1985 they have celebrated 12 ODI victories at Lord’s and suffered just two defeats, while even in Test cricket they have dropped just two Ashes games there since 1934.
Finch played a beautiful cover drive to the boundary off Jofra Archer’s first ball and was unmoved until the 36th over by showing batsmanship England has yearned for in all three of its losses.
Australia coach Justin Langer told Finch before the tournament that runs were the best currency of leadership and vice-captain Alex Carey said that was Finch’s standout quality.
“Performance is pretty good leadership and he’s performing from the front firstly,” Carey said.
“He’s worked really hard on his game and now he’s delivering on the biggest stage.
“And then his decisions out on the field, I think he’s got a group of guys that really trust him and we love working under Finchy.”
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