Happy Birthday Aaron Finch: A Look at Some Spectacular Knocks by the Explosive Australian Opener

Australia’s limited over captain Aaron Finch will celebrate his 33rd birthday on Sunday (November 17, 2019). Finch started his playing days at Colac West Cricket Club in Victoria, Australia and because of his performances, he was called up for the 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka. The Victorian is famous for his fearless batting and being a nightmare for the opposition bowlers to deal with. He is one of the most explosive batsmen in the limited over’s format and currently holds the record for the highest individual score in Twenty20 Internationals, with his score of 172 against Zimbabwe in July 2018. In July 2018 Finch became the first player in T20Is to reach the 900 rating mark on the official T20I rankings. On the occasion of the Australian’s 33rd birthday, we take a look at some of his best individual performances. Justin Langer Says 'Beating Indian Cricket Team in India in 2022 is the Ultimate Goal for Australia'.

Finch is known for his fierce batting and these hard-hitting abilities made the Australian selectors give him his first taste of International Cricket on January 12, 2011, in a T20I match against England. Two years later, he made his ODI debut on January 11, 2013, against Sri Lanka. Finch set a new record in Twenty20 international cricket for the highest score on August 29, 2013, when he scored 156 off 63 balls for Australia against England in Rose Bowl, which he later broke in 2018 against Zimbabwe. Finch is the fastest Australian to reach 10 ODI centuries and also the 29th male cricketer from Australia to reach the milestone of playing in 100 ODIs. Here are some of the best innings by the Aussie opener.  Couple Watches Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd T20I 2019, Aaron Finch Has Hilarious Response.

156 vs England, Rose Bowl, 2013

This innings showed the world what Aaron Finch is all about. The Australian smashed English bowlers all around the park and scored 156 runs off just 63 deliveries as the Aussies put on a massive total of 248 on the board. Finch’s innings included 14 sixes (also a record) and 11 fours Australia defeated England by 39 runs in the first T20I match of the series.

121 vs England, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2014

Aaron Finch’s second ODI century came against England in the series opener against Melbourne. After being dropped on 8, Finch battered the English bowling attack as Australia reached their target of 270 with 26 balls remaining. With this ton, he became the first player from Victoria to score an ODI century at the MCG.

135 vs England, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2015

Another England vs Australia match at the MCG, another Aaron Finch masterclass but this time at the 2015 World Cup. His 135 helped Australia put on a massive total of 342/9 off their 50 overs. Australia won the match by 111 runs. Finch’s 135 was the fifth-highest World Cup score by an Australian and also the highest World Cup score in a World Cup match held in Australia.

81 vs India, Sydney Cricket Ground, 2015

One of Finch’s most determined knocks came against India in the 2015 World Cup semifinals. This match is mostly remembered for Steve Smith’s 105 but Finch was a valuable contributor in a partnership worth 182. No other Australian partnership reached 50 or lasted for five overs. The innings was not pretty, he played and missed and edged several times but it was a testament to his big match stubbornness that he toughed it out.

172 vs Zimbabwe, Harare Sports Club, 2018

Aaron Finch broke his own record of the highest score in a Twenty20 International match when he smashed 172 from 76 balls against Zimbabwe. He just failed to beat Chris Gayle’s record of 175 for all T20 cricket when he was out hit-wicket with two balls left of Australian Innings. His opening stand of 223 with D’Arcy Short is also a record partnership in T20Is for any wicket.

In September 2018, Finch was named in the Australia Test squad for a series against Pakistan. He made his test debut in the same series on October 7, 2018. Finch had his baggy green cap presented to him by Australian legend Allan Border. On debut, Finch made 62 and 49 in his first and second innings respectively. He currently captained the Australian side in a 2-0 series win against Pakistan while gearing up for the upcoming ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2020.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 17, 2019 08:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).