Aaron Finch, the Australia captain, believes his team’s series win in India is proof that it is more than an underdog to win the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
Sharja:
The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb shored up the middle order and the batting troubles that plagued Australia previously seemed an age away. The team spirit was all too evident. All of which, Finch said, proved Australia, the reigning world champion, is never just an underdog for the premier event later this year.
“People will no doubt have taken notice (of the India series win). Australia is probably never a true underdog in a world tournament. I think our record suggests that. Regardless of form, you go into the tournament (knowing) Australia has a great ability to play well. (We are) slightly an underdog but I think some people would have taken a bit more notice over the last couple of weeks.”
Australia registers easy win: Finch’s fine century drove Australia to a convincing eight-wicket win over a new-look Pakistan in the first One-Day International on Friday. The Australian skipper scored 116 off 135 balls and helped his team overhaul the 281-run target in 49 overs. The win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The series in India was near-perfect for Australia. It lost the first two ODIs, despite competing well, but fought back to win it 3-2. Over the course of the series, Usman Khawaja hit two centuries and staked a claim for an opening slot at the WC. Finch himself hit form, after going through an extended lean patch, scoring a 93 in Ranchi.
The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb shored up the middle order and the batting troubles that plagued Australia previously seemed an age away. The team spirit was all too evident. All of which, Finch said, proved Australia, the reigning world champion, is never just an underdog for the premier event later this year.
“People will no doubt have taken notice (of the India series win). Australia is probably never a true underdog in a world tournament. I think our record suggests that. Regardless of form, you go into the tournament (knowing) Australia has a great ability to play well. (We are) slightly an underdog but I think some people would have taken a bit more notice over the last couple of weeks.”
Australia registers easy win: Finch’s fine century drove Australia to a convincing eight-wicket win over a new-look Pakistan in the first One-Day International on Friday. The Australian skipper scored 116 off 135 balls and helped his team overhaul the 281-run target in 49 overs. The win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.