Aaron Finch says Pat Cummins’ criticism has blown him away as pressure mounts on the skipper under fire to keep his place in the side.
The hosts face England on Friday night in a virtual elimination final, with the loser needing a miracle to sneak into the last four of the T20 World Cup.
The Aussies are set to welcome back spinner Adam Zampa after he was ruled out of their recent win over Sri Lanka due to Covid-19, but all the focus is on Finch after his tough performance on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old finished unbeaten on 31 as Marcus Stoinis went ballistic to bring Australia home, but Finch’s strike rate of 73.80 was the lowest by a batter to have faced 40 or more deliveries in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh called Finch’s innings against Sri Lanka “tortuous” and called on managers to bring in Cameron Green in place of Cummins.
The speedster took a wicket for 82 runs in the first two games, but Finch scoffed at calls that he should be waived.
“His numbers over the last 18 months have been outstanding in T20 cricket,” he said.
“It blows me away sometimes when people go with the draft cat. He’s been amazing on all three formats for a long time. The calmness he brings to the bowling group and the experience, it’s invaluable.
–Martin Gabor, NCA NewsWire
