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Finch finally delivers with record knock

Roar Guru
30th August, 2013
4

Aaron Finch hopes his incredible world record Twenty20 knock can be career-defining after finally announcing his arrival on the international stage.

The Victorian opener blasted a remarkable 156 of 63 balls – the highest individual score in a T20 international – in Australia’s 39-run win over England in Southampton on Thursday.

The knock helped end a winless run of more than 200 days in all formats of international cricket for Australia and gave the tourists the upper hand heading into Saturday’s second T20 in Durham.

It also came at a crucial time for right-hander Finch, who had managed only modest numbers in six previous T20 and seven one-day international appearances.

Finch, the reigning Big Bash League player of the year with Melbourne Renegades, felt he had wasted his international opportunities during the Australian summer, particularly in ODIs where he averaged just 15.00.

He was left out of the squad for June’s Champions Trophy and admitted coming to the UK this time not knowing if he would stay on for the six one-day matches, with the squad to be trimmed following the two T20 games.

But Finch now appears certain to survive the cut and has the chance to cement himself in a potentially-devastating opening partnership with David Warner in both formats.

“Being in and out of the side is never ideal and I suppose last year I let a couple of chances slip,” Finch said.

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“For my own confidence and probably for the selectors’ confidence in me, it’s nice to get a big score and repay a bit of that faith in me.

“Hopefully I’ve staked a pretty good claim for the rest of the series and I can stay on and do well in the one-dayers.”

Finch had a packed Rose Bowl in awe with an innings that featured a record 14 sixes.

He hit huge sixes all around the ground, including off his first ball and when bringing up his 50, 100 and 150 milestones.

He smashed the previous international record of 123 set by New Zealand’s Brendan McCullum and became the first Australian to score a T20 international century.

It helped Australia to a whopping 6-248 in their first innings – the second biggest international T20 team total in history – before England responded with an admirable 6-209.

Australia’s last win in any format was in a ODI against the West Indies at the MCG on February 10 and they landed an overdue blow against England following a 3-0 Ashes series defeat.

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Finch admitted a feeling of relief in the dressing room but played down the significance of the win, warning Australia had to be prepared for a backlash in Durham.

“It’s only one Twenty20 game at the end of the day,” he said.

“There’s still five one-dayers and another T20 game.

“I’m sure they’ll come back up in Durham with some new plans and new ideas and we’ll have to adapt to that again.”

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