When the discussions arise at the bar about who is an automatic selection for the Australian ODI team, there few arguments – particularly when the name of David Warner is brought up.
For many he is the first guy picked. One player that is not usually mentioned in this group is a guy who in many respects has a superior record to Warner.
Aaron Finch has quietly gone about amassing an impressive ODI CV. Sure many believe he is a good player, buy he simply does not get the plaudits that Warner receives. I think unfairly so.
Taking a look at the stats, Warner has an impressive and explosive record for an opener, with 53 innings for 1724 runs at an average of 32.52. Not the greatest average, but he also has a strike rate of 85.51 which is world class for any player, let alone an opener.
Warner has passed 50 on 13 occasions, going on to make in excess of 100 three times. This gives him a conversion of a 50 every 4.07 innings and a ton every 17.66 innings.
Warner is seen as an excitement machine who will go after the bowling. He will take the game away from the opponent, score quick runs and set the Aussies up or go out cheaply and not waste time.
He has an aggressive demeanour and will take it right up to the opposition. Many fans love him for this behaviour but it has also seen him disciplined on numerous occasions
Aaron Finch on the other hand is a quiet kid from Colac in Victoria who seems to play second fiddle to Warner and his Kaboom bat. There is the perception that he is the rock while the fireworks go off at the other end. When Warner hits false shot that gets a thick edge and sails away over gully for four, you will hear things like “Well that’s the way Warner plays, too wide and he will put you away”.
When the same type of shot is played by Finch, the commentary will suggest it was a mis-timed shot, and that Finch was lucky. I think this type of commentary reflects much of the public sentiment. Warner with his in-your-face attitude off the field, gets credited this persona on the field. The quiet Finch appears to take the back seat type of position in supporters eyes even if that isn’t what is happening on the pitch.
Finch has Warner covered in almost every ODI batting stat. Finch has had 40 innings for 1582 runs at an average of 39.55. This is significantly higher than Warner and pushing into 40+ range which is rarefied air for international openers.
This is where things get interesting. Finch also has a superior strike rate to Warner of 87.59. Finch has passed 50 on 12 occasions thus far and has got to 100 in 6 of those 12 innings.
He is getting to fifty every 3.3 innings and 100 every 6.6 innings. This is light years ahead of Warner and compares with anybody worldwide. In fact the man currently ranked number one on the ICC ODI championship player batting rankings, A.B De Villiers converts, a hundred every 9.1 innings.
The player ranked number two on that list Hashim Amla has an amazing 19 centuries from 105 innings at a rate of one every 5.5 innings.
Finch is not far behind. Is Finch’s cricket as exciting as Warner? Well he averages more boundaries and sixes per innings than Warner.
Sure, Warner is a better fielder but Finch is no mug having also taken more catches than Warner in ODIs. Warner should be an automatic selection for the ODI side but only after Finch has taken his spot as the first opener picked.
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