Australia opener Aaron Finch was in stunning form in Dambulla, blazing a half-century from just 18 balls
Finch flays equal-fastest Aussie fifty
Aaron Finch has blasted the equal-fastest ODI half century by an Australian in a scintillating display of power hitting during the fourth ODI in Dambulla.
Finch was in a destructive mood as Australia set about chasing down Sri Lanka’s target of 213, bringing up his fifty from 18 deliveries before being trapped in front for 55 the very next ball.
The opening batsman joins fellow Victorians Simon O’Donnell and Glenn Maxwell with the Australian record, while South Africa superstar AB de Villiers maintains his hold on the world mark of 16 deliveries against West Indies last year.
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Finch’s stunning performance comes just a day after wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler smashed the fastest half-century by an England player, coming off 22 balls in his side’s record-breaking victory over Pakistan at Trent Bridge.
Australia’s pursuit actually started off with a maiden from Thisara Perera bowling to David Warner, but Finch clicked into gear straight away at the other end.
The left-arm orthodox spin of Amila Aponso was quickly dispatched to the tune of four consecutive boundaries to start the second over as Finch sent an emphatic message.
A cheeky boundary via a less-than-emphatic sweep shot first up was followed by a close call with a miscue over mid-on in what could have nearly brought the whole thing to a crashing halt.
Finch seemingly had his eye in by this stage as his third ball was punched off the back foot for four more, while the fourth was the pick of the bunch, a glorious cover drive to all of a sudden find himself unbeaten on 16 from four deliveries.
Retaining the strike for the next over, Finch was just as damaging against the increased pace of Thisara.
Eighteen runs flowed from the over, including a towering six that would have looked more at home back on fairways of the Thirteenth Beach Golf Links.
Two more boundaries in Aponso’s next over took him to 43 from 14 balls and in sight of joining de Villiers' record of 16 deliveries to reach fifty.
Dilruwan Perera was thrown the ball to try and halt the damage, but the next ball Finch faced was sent sailing over long-off towards the fans perched in the trees and along the scaffolding on the hill at the Scoreboard End.
But the right-hander missed out on the chance to equal the world record from the next ball, although he collected a bye to again retain the strike.
A punch to the off side next ball was stopped by the in-field, but there was no way of stopping the next lusty blow with his sweep clearing the rope and ensuring he would join former allrounder O’Donnell and good friend Maxwell with the Australian record.
Finch’s blazing knock was brought to a close on the very next ball when Sachith Pathirana trapped him in front and the DRS referral suggested it was clipping enough of leg stump to stay with umpire’s call.
The blitz was over in just 22 minutes as Finch walked from the field with 55 runs from 19 balls to his name – featuring eight fours and three awe-inspiring sixes - and some respectful acknowledgement from the home fans. And perhaps just a hint of relief.
Fastest ODI half centuries
16 balls - AV de Villiers (SA) vs West Indies, 2015
17 – Sanath Jaysuriya (SL) vs Pakistan, 1996
17 – Kusal Perera (SL) vs Pakistan, 2015
17 – Martin Guptill (NZ) vs Sri Lanka, 2015
18 – Aaron Finch (AUS) vs Sri Lanka, 2016
18 – Simon O’Donnell (AUS) vs Sri Lanka, 1990
18 – Glenn Maxwell (AUS) vs India, 2013
18 – Shahid Afridi (PAK) vs Sri Lanka, 1996
18 – Shahid Afridi (PAK) vs Netherlands, 2002
18 – Shahid Afridi (PAK) vs Bangladesh, 2014
18 – Brendon McCullum (NZ) vs England, 2015
Fastest by Australians
18 balls – Aaron Finch vs Sri Lanka, 2016
18 – Simon O’Donnell vs Sri Lanka, 1990
18 – Glenn Maxwell vs India, 2013
19 – David Hussey vs West Indies, 2008
21 – Glenn Maxwell vs Afghanistan, 2015