Finch, Warner learn to curb their enthusiasm

There’s little doubt Australia boast two of the world’s most attacking opening batsmen in David Warner and Aaron Finch, but it’s been harnessing the explosiveness of the pair simultaneously that remains an issue to be solved at this World Cup.

Finch was candid when discussing the partnership in Adelaide today ahead of Australia’s quarter-final with Pakistan, explaining the difficulties of both batsmen playing in their naturally aggressive manner at the same time.

"When you bat with Davey it's hard at times because he's such a damaging player, so it's hard to get him enough strike when he's on," the right-handed opener explained.

"That's how it goes, it's tough for two guys to go hard at once because when you're in and you feel like it's your day you want to keep batting and you want to face as many balls as possible, so you don't really get that flow on."

That’s not to say the pair haven’t clicked previously. 

In 18 ODI innings opening the batting together, they’ve twice posted century stands – with a best of 163 – and average in excess of 40 for the first wicket.  

Finch’s 135 in Australia’s tournament opener against England was also part of a 57-run stand (Warner made 22), but perhaps more than the raw statistics, it’s the potential for something truly exceptional to occur if the two click on the same day that has fans licking their lips in anticipation of some kind of perfect batting storm.

"We never go out there with a plan like, 'today I'm going to take them on' or, 'Davey's going to take them on', it's just something that happens," Finch said.

"Some days you match up well against certain bowlers, some days you feel better, you hit the first couple in the middle then you get away. 

"It's not a bad thing, if you can get down the other end and watch Davey Warner play at his best, it's pretty special to watch sometimes."

As was the case when Warner blasted 178 against Afghanistan in Perth a fortnight ago during a record-breaking innings of 6-417 for the Australians, in which Finch made just four.

That innings also demonstrated Steve Smith’s suitability for the No.3 position, where's he's expected to bat against Pakistan on Friday despite being pushed down the order against Scotland last week.

For Australia, the presence of 25-year-old Smith coming in at first drop rounds out a top three that looks very much capable of leading the batting order for the long term. 

"He's so skilful that he can play the really up-tempo game and that's what you want if you get off to a good start, you want someone to come in and keep that momentum going,” Finch said of Smith. 

"But on the other side of that if you lose a couple of quick ones his defence is quality, he can work the ball around. 

"I think how we saw him play in Sydney last week, in that partnership with Michael (Clarke), they played beautifully to allow us that platform to launch at the end and it came off for us, which was great.

"You've got a guy who can play so many different ways. It's a crucial role No. 3, 'Watto' (Shane Watson) did it fantastically for a long time and he's very successful.

"Whoever they go with this time it's just a unique position that you have to be able to play so many different styles.

"You might come in against a brand new cherry, spin on at both ends, maybe if you get off to a really good start with the openers it might be reversing a bit, so it's absolutely crucial."