Was it an aberration or a sign of something far more concerning that is lurking beneath Australia’s batting depth?
Michael Clarke’s men may not know for sure until the World Cup final on March 29, but Aaron Finch is confident a collapse of 8-26 against New Zealand is the former.
Australia bounced back from their upset loss in Auckland with a record-breaking win over Afghanistan in Perth on Wednesday.
The World Cup favourites walloped a total of 6-417 at the WACA, but their shot selection and calm start with the bat would have pleased coach Darren Lehmann just as much.
Finch, speaking in the lead-up to the side’s crunch clash with Sri Lanka, was not expecting a repeat of the error-filled innings at Eden Park.
“It was just a game that didn’t go well for us,” Finch said on Friday.
“Everyone missed out, it was a bit of a strange one.
“We were too eager to play too many shots and probably got seduced into the short boundary instead of planning our innings.
“We’re playing great cricket though, it’s only the second game we’ve lost in a long time (since the Australian season started in November).
“Definitely no panic stations.”
Finch conceded the defeat had raised the stakes between Australia and Sri Lanka, with the loser of Sunday’s game to almost certainly finish third in Pool A.
That would mean a likely quarter-final against South Africa, then a potential trip to Auckland for a semi-final against New Zealand.
“That can make things a bit harder with the path to the final, if you go that far,” Finch said.
“But we’ve been playing some really good cricket, so we’re not afraid of losing.
Australia had an optional training session on Friday, with the batsmen having a low-key hit in the nets.
Pat Cummins, who missed the clash with Afghanistan due to injury, and his fellow pacemen did not bowl.
Finch took a tactful tone when asked about Shane Watson being dropped from the XI.
“When you’ve got players like (George) Bailey, Watson, Cummins, (Xavier) Doherty on the sidelines, that’s a really strong position to be in,” he said.
“We’ve got so much flexibility with our team, I don’t think it matters which way you go.”
Sri Lanka veteran Mahela Jayawardene wasn’t quite as diplomatic.
“In a way,” Jayawardene said, when asked if he was surprised by Watson being axed.
“But you’re trying to play with different combinations.
“That’s a strength of the bench which Australia has, you never know if it will work for them.”
Jayawardene was relishing the chance to test himself against Australia in his swansong, but played down the importance of the game and the associated quarter-final machinations.
“In a World Cup you need to beat the best once you get into the knockout stages, if you try and avoid teams I don’t think that’s healthy,” he said.
