Finch: Pressure is all on New Zealand now

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
March 8, 2015

Australia opener Aaron Finch does not have much experience when it comes to facing New Zealand, but is looking forward to the World Cup clash in Auckland on Saturday, saying the pressure is all on the Kiwis.

New Zealand have three wins from three so far, and are suddenly favourites to win the event, so Finch feels they will be under big pressure in front of their own fans at Eden Park, despite their impressive players.

Finch said on Monday of facing the Black Caps: "A Twenty20 warm-up game is the only time I've played them so I'm looking forward to it.

"Their bowling at the top of the innings has been outstanding with Southee and Trent Boult and guys like that chipping in so myself and Davey Warner are going to have to play as well as we can to try and negate them.

"I think all the pressure is going to be on New Zealand the way that they've been playing and here in New Zealand as well, but we're excited about the challenge."

Finch scored a century in their opening game against England, with the Aussies winning by 111 runs, but then they had to miss out when their match against Bangladesh was rained off without a ball bowled. This means they'll go without a game for a fortnight.

But Finch added: "I felt as though I played pretty well. In the first game of the World Cup to be able to contribute to a big total and help set up the back end of our innings that was so productive was really pleasing from my point of view.

"And I don't think being on the sidelines changes a helluva lot. When you have to face Johnson and Starc and Hazlewood and Cummins in the nets day after day, it's not a whole lot of fun."