AUS v IND 2018-19: Finch highlights the threat of Nathan Lyon for Indian batsmen on the bouncy Perth wicket

Finch feels Lyon will play an important role considering the amount of bounce on offer at the Perth wicket.

Nathan Lyon had picked up 8 wickets in the first Test at Adelaide | Getty

Ahead of the second day’s play against India in the ongoing Perth Test, Australia opener Aaron Finch has highlighted the importance of Nathan Lyon, saying that the visiting batsmen will find it really hard to combat the off-spinner with the amount of bounce on offer.

Australia finished the first day at 277-6, courtesy a brilliant 112-run opening partnership between Finch (50) and Marcus Harris (70).

“It’s going to be one of those games that’ll be a real grind for both sides. The position we’re in we would have taken at the start of the day, no doubt, especially winning the toss and batting,” Finch told reporters.

“I think Nathan Lyon will enjoy bowling with the amount of bounce on this track, no doubt he will be excited to bowl here,” he added.

Finch, who was under immense pressure following his failure in the Adelaide Test, mentioned that the batters can become indecisive while playing on this Perth wicket.

“When the ball starts seaming off good parts of the wicket and quite dramatically at times, I think that’s when you know you need to tighten up. But you have to also be in a position to cash in on some balls that you can hit, otherwise you get stuck in two minds and end up letting the wicket get you out. So you have to be really proactive and take that out of play as much as you can,” he remarked.

After going wicketless in the morning, the Indian bowlers adjusted well to take six wickets in the last two sessions. Talking about the hard work of Indian bowlers, Finch said: “Our plan was to bat on this wicket regardless of what happened in Adelaide, the heat and getting miles into their legs. That was our plan to bat first anyway and take that challenges head on. No doubt it might play a factor later in this game, or third or fourth Test, but it was always our plan to bat (after winning the toss).”

When asked about his opening partner Harris, Finch said: “I think what everyone’s seen from him so far, not a lot fazes him. He’s a pretty chilled out character who just goes with the flow and that’s the way he’s always been.

“He’s a great guy, but I think the tightness of his technique – he covers his off stump, looks to hit down the ground and for such a short guy that can be quite unique at times.

“He’s definitely got all the shots, but I think the way he adapts his game and his game plan depending on the wicket, depending on the attack, I think that’ll hold him in great stead. Finch said playing together with Harris at Victoria in Sheffield Shield helped their partnership.

“We’ve also played quite a bit of cricket together for Victoria so when you have a good relationship with somebody that stuff takes care of itself,” he said.

“Batting out in the middle is always good fun with him. He keeps it pretty simple pretty relaxed. We just keep reminding each other to focus on what our game plan is and what our strengths are.”

Finch credited the legendary Ricky Ponting for his gutsy fifty in the first innings.

“It (talking to Ponting) was really good because it was so simple. It was basically around covering my off stump and lining up slightly different my alignment and where I want to hit the ball,” he said.

“...it was good to have someone to chat to who’s had to work through that and alignment and things like that. It wasn’t anything I went out in the game with as such. It was more just moving my guard slightly further over,” Finch concluded.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Dec, 2018

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