Aaron Finch insists Australia have no scars after 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to England ahead of the white-ball series between the two teams. Eoin Morgan’s men triumphed by eight wickets after dismissing their rivals for 223 at Edgbaston in the semi-finals and went on to become world champions on home turf in 2019.
Australia and England will renew acquaintances on Friday, with three Twenty20 matches at the Ageas Bowl followed by three one-day internationals at Emirates Old Trafford.
Aaron Finch Says Australia Face England In Different Format
Aaron Finch, the Australian limited over skipper was eager to point out the first white-ball meeting between Australia and England since last July is in a different format where he highlighted the skill of opponents.
“Looking back to that game, we didn’t get enough runs. We were three down early with the bat and always chasing our tail,” Australia’s captain said.
“It was a tough day but it is a different format and we are not holding any scars over that, I can guarantee that in T20 cricket.”
Australia will play their first competitive fixture since March when the corona-virus pandemic forced the white-ball series with New Zealand to be called off. Aaron Finch also revealed plans to win back the World Cup in 2023.
Aaron Finch May Follow Eoin Morgan’s Example
England captain Eoin Morgan repeatedly spoke about the importance of a four-year cycle put in place after they had disappointed in the 2015 edition and Australia are eager to follow a similar style.
“I think the long play is honestly really important and something we have been sitting down and planning over the last few months.
“Probably what the Covid break did for Australian Cricket was give us the chance to sit back and look at everything as a whole and dissect that.
“I think we have done the planning really well in T20s over the last couple of years obviously with that meant to have gone ahead around this time but the 50-over one we feel we have a clear direction both with personnel and strategy,” Finch added.
Australia was all set to host the T20 World Cup next month had the corona-virus pandemic not taken over and that will now take place in two years time, with India set to host the 2021 T20 World Cup. Preparations for that tournament officially get underway on Friday when the number one side in the smallest format take on second-placed England.
One player who may not be involved is Marnus Labuschagne of Australia despite a 51-ball century in the final intra-squad match on Tuesday.
“We are pretty settled on the way we structure our T20 side at the moment, he played nicely the other day, but I think he might have to wait a little bit longer in T20 cricket,” Finch said.
Australia’s captain also confirmed the team would not take a knee on Friday in the first match the country have played since the Black Lives Matter movement took centre stage after George Floyd’s death in May.
“I have spoken to Eoin, we are not going to do a specific gesture like has happened in the past,” Finch concluded.
Black Lives Matter is a decentralized movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest for police brutality and racial discrimination of black people.