Finch can celebrate number one status with tons of runs
Published:England know first-hand the abilities Aaron Finch possesses with bat in hand after the Melbourne Renegades star hit two centuries in the recent ODI series in Australia.
Ashley Giles’ side also know the capabilities the 27-year-old has in the T20 format of the game after he hit the world record for the highest T20 international score when smashing England’s bowlers all over the Ageas Bowl in a knock of 156 off just 63 balls.
It’s an innings which stands out in the mind and his performances since the world record knock have taken him to the top of the Twenty20 International rankings.
Finch, who is 11/4 with Ladbrokes to finish the tournament as the Top Australian Runscorer, has hit 502 runs at an average of just under 42 and his runs come at an incredible strike rate of 167.33.
The opener showed he is in good touch hitting 47 off just 22 balls in Australia’s warm-up game against New Zealand but David Warne, who is in the form of his career to date, is one of the main dangers.
The controversial left-handed batsman was also straight into the action against the Kiwis bashing 65 off 26 balls in an opening partnership with Finch worth 113.
Warner is fifth in the list of leading runscorers in the shortest form of the game with 1,300 runs at an average of 28 from 47 matches and with plenty of IPL experience in his locker he cannot be ruled out from being the top Australian batsman at 2/1 with the bookie.
Shane Watson and George Bailey, 4/1 and 11/2 respectively in this market, both have strong claims, especially the latter after his strong showings at the end of the Aussie summer for Australia, who are 3/1 favourites to win the World Twenty20, against England and the Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.
Cameron White, on at 8/1 with Ladbrokes, is another who cannot be crossed out but with Finch expected to open the innings alongside Warner White’s chances look slim.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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