Finch lauds Cup spirit ahead of NZ re-match

Aaron Finch says the Australian side that New Zealand will meet under lights at cricket's traditional home tonight will be a decidedly less hostile than the one at the last World Cup.

Finch opened the batting for the Aussie side that won a fiery decider in 2015 as the hosts took out their fifth 50-over world title in front of their home crowd at a packed-out MCG.

Four years and two cultural reviews later, Australia are a markedly different team to play against, their skipper admitted on Friday, as Finch lauded the spirit in which the ongoing tournament has been played in.

On-field relations between teams appear at a high point and there have been no major incidences of bad behaviour by players. Virat Kohli, one of the game's fieriest characters, even discouraged his own fans from booing his former nemesis Steve Smith while he was batting earlier in the tournament.

"I think it has been a great spirit out on the field, regardless of results," Finch said of Australia’s match against New Zealand at Lord’s.

"You see a lot of smiles on people's faces, which is a good sign that the game's in really good hands at the moment, and that it’s being played in the right spirit.

"I'm not sure if it's been a conscious effort from individual countries, but it’s certainly felt like a really, really good tournament. 

"It's tough to compare different times. I know the last one was quite an aggressive World Cup on the field - mainly from us. We were quite aggressive in our approach and how we went about things.

Image Id: CD9F5CD9F8C34B48ACBA11A485001E37 Image Caption: The 2015 final was a fiery encounter // Getty

"This one has been absolutely brilliant. They have been packed out venues and people are definitely getting their value for money, too."

Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals but are set to go into their final two group-stage games, against the Black Caps at Lord's and South Africa at Old Trafford a week later, with a full-strength side.

Hot weather and a dry, used pitch awaits the trans-Tasman rivals, raising the potential for rival leg-spinners Adam Zampa and Ish Sodhi to be recalled, though both captains were tight-lipped on their XIs on match eve.

Jonny Bairstow this week questioned why surfaces for the tournament were different to the ones that England have played on in recent home limited-overs series, but Finch praised the character and variety of the pitches that they've played on.

"You can look at it two ways," said Finch. "People want 400 (runs scored), and they see that as an entertaining game and teams getting close.

"I personally think the games that are 220, 240 that are real arm-wrestles that have more momentum shifts back and forth are more entertaining.

"I think from an overall point of view, (pitches) might be slightly different to what (England) have been used to, but I think this that's dictated by the weather, as well.

“They have still been good, entertaining wickets."

Smith had an extended hit at training on Friday against assistant coach Sridharan Sriram who was throwing left-arm spin at the right-hander, presumably in preparation for tweaker Mitchell Santner, who shapes as a key New Zealand bowler along with paceman Trent Boult.

For the Kiwis, halting David Warner's run-scoring blitz will be their bowling attack's main endeavour.

The ever-energised left-hander has amassed an even 500 runs in his first seven games back in an Australian uniform and has formed one half of the World Cup's most dominant opening union with Finch.

If any player has spotted a weakness in Warner's game, it may be New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who has played four seasons with him at Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad.

While he wasn't forthcoming in identifying any shortfalls when asked on Friday, Williamson did say he had noted the 32-year-old’s improvement in playing innings’ of substance as opposed to quick-fire cameos.

"Day-in, day-out, he's one of the top players for a reason," said Williamson. "He's able to adjust to conditions and continue to improve his game.

"We've seen that throughout this tournament, as well, where all the talk's been about 350-plus (scores). We might have seen it once, (but) it's actually been about sort of hard graft and trying to get yourself into a position of strength to get a competitive total.

"He's been instrumental on the Australian side. He's adapted his game and been able to help put his side in a position of strength."

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, 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: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

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