With the inaugural season of the KFC T20 Big Bash league over, the KFC International T20 competition kicked off with huge crowds filling both Sydney Olympic Stadium and the MCG.
With Australia winning the first match in Sydney by 31 runs, Melbourne Renegades opening batsman, Aaron Finch, once again pulled on the Aussie colours to take on India at the MCG. The last time Finch featured in the Australian T20 side he destroyed the English bowling attack, finishing with 53* off of 33 including two 6’s and four 4’s, a strike rate of 160.6 and the title of Man of the Match.
Finch didn’t disappoint when he came out and opened with big hitter David Warner against India in front of 62,000 people at the MCG earlier this month. Finch was off to a flyer, smashing 36 off of 23 balls only to be run out by Ravindra Jadeja. Unfortunately, India batted strongly and defeated Australia by 8 wickets, drawing the series.
Now back playing with the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers, Finch took some time out to have a chat to us about his return to playing for Australia, his thoughts on the Indian T20 squad and the lead up to the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
MR: Great to see you back in the Aussie team Aaron, although your innings was cut short with a run out, were you happy with the way you batted?
AF: I thought I was batting quite well and felt comfortable out there. I would like to have made more runs but was unfortunately run out.
MR: Although India had a disappointing Test series, how do you rate their performances in the shorter forms?
AF: India is one of the strongest cricket teams in the world with some of the most talented players. They are a team you can never underestimate or go into the game with too much confidence as they have the players who can turn a game at the drop of a hat.
MR: What do you think India and Australia’s chances are of taking the title in this year’s T20 World Cup? India has England along with a qualifier in their group and Australia has the West Indies with a qualifier.
AF: I think we have a really strong chance of making the finals. We have a solid team and it will be good to play the West Indies before seeing them in the World Cup. England is the number one rated T20 team and after winning the last world cup, they will be tough to beat. India will have to play at their absolute best to topple the Poms.
MR: Who do you think is the key to India’s success in the short form?
AF: Tendulkar and Sehwag making runs early on is the key to India’s innings. With the World Cup being played in Sri Lanka, spin will be a huge, if not a match winning, factor. The likes of Ashwin and Jadeja will be vital for India, and slowing the run rate of the opposition. I personally think the most underrated player and someone who could make a big difference for India is Rohit Sharma. He is a very handy bowler and a good middle order batsman.
MR: What are your plans once the domestic season wraps up?
AF: It would be great to have the opportunity to get the call up to Australia for the West Indies tour. I will be spending most of the off season training for the IPL and keeping my fitness up with a few rounds of golf thrown in as well!