Aaron Finch's 'horrible' flop sparks brutal criticism: 'Time is up'
Aussie captain Aaron Finch has become the first Australian to record five ducks in a calendar year in ODI cricket after yet another flop against New Zealand.
New Zealand won the toss and sent Australia in to bat in the second one-day international in Cairns.
AMAZING: Cameron Green heroics leave cricket world stunned in ODI victory
'AWFUL': Jonny Bairstow news leaves cricket world 'gutted'
All eyes were on Finch after an abysmal 2022 with the bat and pressure mounting on his position in the team.
Aussie great Mark Waugh said Finch needed runs in his next two games or face the axe.
"It's's now or never. I think he's got these two games," Waugh said on Fox Sports.
"He's got to show something in these two games.
"He would not be in the side if he wasn't captain."
Unfortunately, Finch continued his poor run of form.
The opener was caught at cover from the bowling of Matt Henry for a duck after just two balls.
Finch's last seven innings read: 0, 5, 5, 1, 15, 0 and 0.
While Finch will remain an Aussie hero, leading Australia to World Cup success, Australian fans were quick to claim that the opener's time in the green and gold may have come to an end.
Aaron Finch in his last seven ODIs: 26 runs with three ducks 😦 pic.twitter.com/dC2r5GbSIP
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 8, 2022
It's so hard to watch Finch just get out, take a break bro. This stretch is not helping.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 8, 2022
5th duck for Aaron Finch from 13 innings in ODI in 2022.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 8, 2022
I love Aaron finch, but his time is up. Horrendously out of form.
— Jack Carroll (@Jackcarroll26) September 8, 2022
Nathan Lyon on TV commentary after Aaron Finch's dismissal:
"I'm not really sure what to say in my position here."#AUSvNZ— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) September 8, 2022
Oh dear... What was Finch thinking there? That's horrible.
Trent Boult would be fuming that that Matt Henry took his bunny.#AUSvNZ— Patrick Gray (@PatrickM_Gray) September 8, 2022
Australia's poor start against New Zealand
The Black Caps made one change with paceman Lockie Ferguson replaced by Tim Southee.
Australia also made a change with Sean Abbott coming into the side to replace allrounder Cameron Green, who didn't pull up fully fit after experiencing cramps during his match-clinching 89-run knock in the first game.
But, it was New Zealand that had Australia 5-54 in the first innings.
Henry also snared David Warner for just five after he was caught driving on the up.
Trent Boult then caught Marnus Labuschagne for LBW.
The No.4 reviewed the decision, but looked puzzled when it was unsuccessful and he had to walk back to the pavilion.
Adding to Australia's woes, Marcus Stoinis was out LBW.
The allrounder also reviewed his decision, but ball-tracking had the delivery hitting middle stump.
Alex Carey then departed for just 12 runs.
This was Australia's third collapse in three ODIs.
Commentator Ian Smith blasted the Australians for their batting woes.
“I can’t believe this is Australia I’m watching,” Smith said.
“I’ll be honest with you. It’s three times in a row. I simply find it quite astounding.”
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
