After the stunning win in the opening game of the three-match ODI series against India, Aaron Finch & his army will be heading for the second ODI at Rajkot on 17 Jan. While the entire team will be preparing for the anticipated game at Rajkot, the skipper Finch believes that India will definitely give them a hard in the upcoming games and will come on them with full force.
In the opening match of this series, Finch and David Warner went on to thrash the opposing team with the brilliant centuries and chased down the score set by Virat Kohli & Co in less than 38 overs. The Aussie skipper, later, said that he was happy with the way his team played in the opening game while he was also sure about the Indian team coming back to give them a rough time in the second game at Rajkot.
“That was a pretty good performance. I think our fielding was a little sloppy but all in all, we are really happy with how the boys went, ” Finch said, as quoted by cricket.com.au after the victorious 1st ODI.
“They (India) will fight back no doubt. They are a great side, got some world-class players,” Finch said when asked about his expectations in the second game.
Finch hinted Josh Hazelwood to replace Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc:
In the meantime, Finch lauded his opening partner David Warner who went on to display his usual aggressive demeanour in the first 50-overs game of this tour. Both Warner and Finch shared a record opening-partnership in that game where they chased down the challenging target of 256 runs set by the Men in Blue. Like Finch, Warner scored a century studded with twenty boundaries.
Talking about his partner, the Aussie skipper said that Warner has a clear mind with his game and is in “unbelievably” good shape for the game.
“He (Warner) is playing unbelievably well, I think. It’s so hard to bowl to him once he gets in. He hits the ball all around the ground, so stopping him from scoring is hard.”
“He is so clear with how he is going to bat, his footwork is pretty good. His mental state is unbelievable when he is out in the middle. He is so clear with his thoughts and his game. He is in top shape,” exclaims Finch.
Finch appreciated the efforts put in by the Aussie bowlers to take down the threatening top-order of the Indian team which helped them to restrict India at a minimal score, according to the condition. The pacers Mitchell Starc (3/56) and Pat Cummins (2/44) became the biggest threat for the hosting team as Starc took down the aggressive opener Rohit Sharma for just ten runs.
“To be able to control such a damaging top-order with their lengths is brilliant. The ball just swung enough to keep them in the game all the time. They were so accurate which you have to be in these conditions,” he said.
On the other hand, the skipper also revealed that with the baggage of more Tests coming-in in the future, it would be a possibility that Josh Hazelwood could be seen in the next games replacing Cummins or Starc.
“The bowling line-up will obviously be discussed with Josh (Hazelwood) on the sidelines. With back-to-back games and pretty quick and reasonably heavy test load, I’m sure Josh will come in for one of them (Cummins or Starc) at same point.
“(But) Unless it’s a forced change with a niggle or injury, I don’t think it would be much,” he added.
Nevertheless, the two teams will be girding up their loins to prepare for the second clash at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on 17th January. The third and the deciding ODI will be played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium of Bangalore on 19th January.