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Australia v India 3rd ODI: Aaron Finch looks to go back to basics in bid to find form

Aussie one-day captain Aaron Finch has been studying footage of himself at his attacking best in a bid to find the runs to help secure a win for Australia in the ODI decider against India.

Finch looking to take ODI series to save face and cap off a year of improvement

Aussie one-day captain Aaron Finch has spent the past few days studying footage of himself at his attacking best in a bid to find the runs that have eluded him so far against India.

The hosts have two changes for Friday’s series decider at the MCG with fast bowler Jason Behrendorff (back) and Nathan Lyon missing out.

Towering quick Billy Stanlake and leg spinner Adam Zampa are the replacements.

Kane Richardson has been called up as cover. He is still expected to be available to play in the Melbourne Derby on Saturday.

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Can Aaron Finch find form with the World Cup just around the corner?

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Finch has been put in the gun too after two scores of six in the opening two matches in Sydney and Adelaide, having been dropped from the Test team for lack of runs too.

But the skipper pointed to the fact he has 13 international hundreds, including four in the past 12 months, as an indication he was still a “very good player”

Finch, who will play his 99th ODI at his home ground, conceded he may have been too “tentative” in his approach recently and would look to turn things around at the MCG and win Australia’s first series since the Ashes.

“When you are searching for runs you can be searching for the right recipe. Over the last couple of days I have had a chance to go back and look at footage and see what has worked really well when I have got hundreds for Australia and felt like I have been playing really well,” Finch said on Thursday.

“It’s about giving myself the best chance. Maybe I have been a bit too tentative in the last couple of games and letting pressure build up. It’s always a fine balance between attack and hanging in there and waiting for the right time to take on the game.

“I still feel I am very good player … 13 international hundreds suggests I do know what is required.

Finch has taken the time to study his batting style from more successful times.
Finch has taken the time to study his batting style from more successful times.

“I think I have been a bit tentative in my thought process and my footwork at times. It’s about going back to my natural game and letting that flow and finding that rhythm.”

Finch said the scores of 286 then 298 in the opening two matches, including taking 230 off the Indian spinners, indicated the one-day side was improving after winning just two games in 2018.

“We’re very keen to win the series, it’s been a while since we won the series home or away. There’s been some real positives, particularly with the bat these past two games. But it’s still 1-1,” he said.

“The improvement is there and the mindset from the last couple of months has been really good. To be able to get 286, then 298 …. that has been a real positive, the way we have adapted to our game plan and stuck to it really well.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-india-3rd-odi-aaron-finch-looks-to-go-back-to-basics-in-bid-to-find-form/news-story/5235ba400fb425721dfefc94c95020dc