Aaron Finch has called for more aggression from his Australian batting line-up after they were bowled out for 123 in the first ODI against India in Hyderabad.
The Aussies were never really in the hunt after losing wickets early on, and Finch admitted that they needed to be more positive at the crease.
He declared, “We need to be more aggressive.” “We must challenge the game more. We need to be more upbeat in our approach because we were a little too cautious today.
Finch will be hoping that his batsmen can respond in the second ODI on Friday, but they will need to be at their best against a strong Indian bowling attack.
What went wrong for Australia in the first ODI?
Australia’s problems started early, with David Warner and Travis Head both dismissed within the first 10 overs. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were able to rebuild the innings to some extent, but they were both out in quick succession before the end of the 20th over.
From there, the Australian innings collapsed, with the last six wickets falling for just 21 runs. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 4-29, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Why does Finch want his batsmen to be more aggressive?
Finch believes that the best way for Australia to compete against India is to be more aggressive at the crease.
“They’re a very good bowling unit,” he said. “They’re very accurate and they’re very highly skilled. The best way to combat that is to be on the front foot and to take some calculated risks.”
Finch also pointed out that Australia’s batting line-up is one of the most talented in the world, and that they need to start playing to their potential.
“We’ve got some of the best batsmen in the world,” he said. “We just need to go out there and express ourselves. We need to be positive and we need to take the game on.”
How can Australia be more aggressive in the second ODI?
There are a few things that Australia can do to be more aggressive in the second ODI.
Firstly, they need to start their innings more positively. Warner and Head were both out playing tentative shots in the first ODI, and Australia need to be more proactive from the outset.
Secondly, Australia need to be more willing to take risks. They can’t afford to be afraid of getting out, and they need to be prepared to play some attacking shots.
Finally, Australia need to rotate the strike more regularly. This will put pressure on the Indian bowlers and make it more difficult for them to settle into a rhythm.
What are the key areas of focus for Australia in the second ODI?
The key areas of focus for Australia in the second ODI are:
- Starting their innings more positively
- Being more willing to take risks
- Rotating the strike more regularly
If Australia can do those things, they will be in a much better position to compete against India.
Conclusion
Australia will be desperate to bounce back in the second ODI after a disappointing performance in the first match. Finch has called for more aggression from his batsmen, and they will need to deliver if they are to have any chance of beating India.
Additional thoughts
In addition to the above, here are some other thoughts on how Australia can be more aggressive in the second ODI:
- Be more proactive against spin. Australia’s batsmen struggled against India’s spinners in the first ODI, and they need to find a way to be more proactive against them in the second match. This could involve playing more sweeps and reverse sweeps, or simply being more aggressive in their footwork.
- Target the short ball. India’s bowlers love to bowl short, and Australia’s batsmen need to be prepared to attack this. If they can put away a few short balls for boundaries early on, it will put pressure on the Indian bowlers and open up the scoring opportunities.
- Run hard between the wickets. Running hard between the wickets is a great way to put pressure on the opposition and keep the scoreboard ticking over. Australia’s batsmen need to be making sure that they are running every opportunity they get, even if it means taking a risk.
If Australia can do all of these things, they will be in a much better position to challenge India in the second ODI.