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Finch rues performances of senior players

The Australia skipper was left disappointed with the efforts of a host of key players in the World Cup semi-final against England

Aaron Finch insists Glenn Maxwell can still be a match-winner in big games after pressure mounted on the allrounder following his disappointing World Cup.

Maxwell endured a difficult stint in England, entering the tournament as Australia's X-factor but failing to fire a real shot.

The Victorian hit just 177 runs at an average of 22.12, spending just 118 balls at the crease as he failed to pass 50 in any innings.

"He started off really well and got us into some really good positions, even the game against India where he started to build some real momentum," Finch said.

"Again, probably a few starts here and there and probably not like he has done in the past gone on and got the really match-winning contribution.

"We know, we have seen how damaging and how much of a match-winner he can be in the past and we saw in the last World Cup the impact that he had in big games."

Dominant England storm into World Cup final

Maxwell will still have plenty of white-ball domestic cricket between now and Australia's next one-day series in India in January to stake his claims.

The 30-year-old will also like play a key part in Australia's home Twenty20 World Cup next year, after scoring a century in his last game in the format against India.

Finch didn't shut down speculation on Thursday when asked if management had considered axing Maxwell ahead of the semi-final loss to England.

"You weigh up every possible XI, whatever you think's the strongest XI to win the game, matching up to England," he said.

"So you put dozens of teams up, dozens of combinations and that happens every game.

"You throw enough stuff in the air, but we were really confident to back Maxy into the game."

Blood-stained Carey shows Aussie grit

Maxwell won't be the only one feeling the heat.

Marcus Stoinis averaged 14.5 with the bat and 34.85 with the ball.

Adam Zampa only played four games after taking five wickets at 47.2 early in the tournament.

In fairness though, it was Australia's best players of the World Cup who failed to fire against England.

Finch and David Warner blitzed the tournament but scored just nine runs between them against England.

And while Mitchell Starc broke the record for the most wickets in a World Cup with 27, his return of 1-70 off nine in the semi-final was his second worst of the tournament.

"Our senior guys, myself, Davey, we didn't get going, Starcy didn't get going, Pat Cummins," Finch said.

"Guys that you expect to stand up in big games, we were just outplayed."

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia lost to South Africa by 10 runs

July 9: New Zealand beat India by 18 runs

July 11: Australia lost to England by 8 wickets

July 14: Final, England v New Zealand, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE