Aaron Finch lambasts Australian middle order ahead of the ODI series vs West Indies

Aaron Finch expressed concerns over Australia‘s batting line-up following the two-match Test series against the West Indies at home. Aaron Finch highlighted that Australia’s middle-order batters’ failure to convert starts into centuries against the West Indies team.

The Pat Cummins-led team suffered an eight-run loss to the Kraigg Brathwaite-led side at the Gabba. Australia’s middle-order batters failed to deliver in the low-score run chase, losing their last eight wickets for 94 runs. They were bowled out for 207 runs in the final innings.

The hotss also suffered a collapse in the first innings, losing five wickets for 54 runs. Opener Usman Khawaja (75) and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey (65) made valuable contributions. Pat Cummins hit an unbeaten half-century before the team declared at 289/9.

The Hundreds Column Is A Concern For Me – Aaron Finch

In a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Aaron Finch stated that Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh carried the batting lineup during the series. Finch stressed the need for improvement, particularly centuries from the middle-order batters.

“Think the bowlers have been the ones who have got them out of jail a few times, but also Usman Khawaja…and Mitch Marsh is also pulling his weight in that regard. They’re not great numbers for a middle order that I think have got some much talent. The hundreds column is a concern for me. Guys are getting starts, and that’s reflected in the numbers, it’s not like they’re averaging six,” Finch told ESPN’s Around The Wicket show.

Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 91 runs in the fourth innings of the second Test, while Cameron Green contributed 42 runs. None of their batters showed resilience as young Windies pacer Shamar Joseph ran through the batting order, claiming 7/68 in the second innings.

There’s Not Enough Hundreds – Aaron Finch

The former Australian opener acknowledged Marnus Labuschagne’s failure in the recent Test series. Finch pointed out the contribution of Usman Khawaja and the bowlers in covering the team’s shortcomings.

“If you have a bad series in two Tests like Marnus [Labuschagne] that’s okay, everyone will have that at some point, but there’s not enough hundreds. There’s a few cracks that have been papered over from Usman Khawaja and the bowlers who have done a brilliant job for a long time,” he added.

Marnus Labuschagne scored 19 runs in four innings against the West Indies, maintaining a dismal average of 6.33, with a best score of 10. Travis Head scored a match-winning 119-run knock in the first Test in Adelaide. However, he recorded a king pair at the Gabba.

Marnus Labuschagne Is Such A Good Player – Michael Clarke

Reflecting on Marnus Labuschagne’s poor form, Michael Clarke noted that facing challenging phases is a common experience for every player. Despite the setback, Clarke expressed confidence in Labuschagne’s abilities and anticipated a strong comeback.

“Again, he’s such a good player, he’ll go away now, he’ll work on that before New Zealand. You can’t write Marnus off. He’s batting at No. 3 which is one of the toughest positions in Test cricket. Don’t be surprised if he comes out against New Zealand and he’s the leading run-scorer. About every top-class batsman goes through a stage like this,” Clarke said.

The Australian team will play a white-ball series against the West Indies, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is. The first ODI is scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on February 2, Friday.

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