After being outmatched in their first two matches, former Australia captain Aaron Finch gave an account of his team’s elegant comeback in the present World Cup.
In remarks to ICC, Aaron Finch stated:
Australia has discovered their energy, which was lacking earlier in the competition. They appeared to be a flat cricket squad in each of the first two games’ three areas of the pitch. There has been a lot more enthusiasm on the pitch lately—especially in the last five games—and I always think that indicates a squad is really up to the challenge. An important factor in a team’s performance is energy, and Afghanistan, Australia’s next opponents, have benefited from this.
They have excellent cricket skills and an unmatched enthusiasm that they have contributed. They are undoubtedly a really talented group. They may still rely a lot on their spinners, but their batting consistency has been something I’ve always liked.
If they had to chase runs was the one thing that puzzled me. They could falter occasionally and it would be a little wobbly in the past, but they have been perfect in chases in World Cup. Australia won their match against England on Saturday, and despite their top order failing to produce, they will have been pleased with the victory.
Given how the tournament has gone, Joe Root’s remark that England is still a better side man for man caught my attention. Although Australia has dominated England over the past few years, we are starting to see a little bit of a shift there.
In a few years, England’s players will rank among the greatest in the history of the competition. They can match up against most teams since Jos Buttler is a fantastic player in both man-for-man and white ball formats, but they haven’t performed well in this World Cup. It’s more of a victory for the supporters than anything else, and I don’t think Australia will really care that they eliminated England.
Australia came to this tournament with the intention of winning the World Cup, and the first real tick is reaching the semi-finals, not who countries you defeat. Australia will merely be content that they have made progress.
Once again, Adam Zampa excelled for Australia. He’s been impressive, as I mentioned in my last column, and one thing that really sticks out to me is how effectively he reads batters. Knowing when to bowl your variations with spin based on understanding the circumstances and the batters is half the battle. Right now, he is bowling so well and taking so many important wickets.
Although the older players and backroom staff will put in a lot of work to read batters, he also has to put in a lot of preparation on his own.
Adam Zampa dots his I’s and crosses his T’s in every game, but sometimes you can get caught if you play against teams or individuals so frequently that you just sort of go through the motions of preparation because you grow comfortable.
His extraordinary consistency—taking at least three wickets in five straight games—has shown how that manifests itself. This is a great acknowledgement of his skill because, for a few years, he was arguably the best white-ball spinner in both of the global white-ball formats.
But I believe the pace bowlers will have more of an impact against Afghanistan. The fact that they are performing at the Wankhede is likely advantageous to Australia.
It’s an excellent cricket wicket that aids pace somewhat more than spin. It can be challenging to begin your innings because of its typical bounce, but once you are in, it can be excellent for hitting. Australia will undoubtedly consider the stakes of the match as they get ready, knowing that victory will ensure their advancement to the knockout stages.
However, once the game starts, you usually become much more concentrated on the competition and less concerned about the consequences of your performance. Australia will probably play South Africa in the semi-finals if they go past Afghanistan, and I believe they can defeat them.
Many teams will have gained confidence from the Proteas’ defeat to India that, with the correct strategy, they can dominate South Africa.
India
