Finch sets new world record

Aaron Finch got his name registered on the esteemed list of centurions in T-20 internationals when he smashed a record breaking 156 off 63 balls with a staggering strike-rate of 247.62 as he guided Australia to their first victory in this tour of England in the first of the two T-20s at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton on Thursday.

England captain Stuart Broad won the toss but his decision to put the visitors in back-fired big time as Aaron Finch set the stage on fire with a display of muscular hitting(11 fours and 14 sixes) before getting out on 156. On his way to his incredible 156-run innings, he overtook kiwi wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum’s previous highest score of 123 as other records went tumbling. The opener was well supported first by Shaun Marsh(28) and then by Shane Watson(37) as the Aussies put on a 101-run 3^rd wicket partnership to reach a total of 248 for the loss of 6 wickets. Jade Dernbach was the most successful among the English bowlers and returned with the figures of 34-3.

In reply to the mighty target set by the Aussies, the English openers made a blistering start with opener Michael Lumb making a brisk 22 off just 11 balls. Once Lumb got out, Alex Hales, Lukes Wright and Eoin Morgan followed suit without troubling the scorers too much leaving England reeling at 42-4 in 4.3 overs. Just when it seemed that it was curtains down for England, Joe Root, England’s latest find, launched a counter-attack, putting on a 95-run partnership with Ravi Bopara who made 45 off 29 balls. Root ended up scoring a gutsy 90 from just 49 balls hitting 13 boundaries and 1 six, after a nasty blow on his face leaving almost an inch of laceration inside his mouth. However he could not change the fate of England as they finished 39 runs short of what Australia managed.

Aaron Finch was adjudged the man-of-the -match for his swash-buckling 156 run innings as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the two match T-20 series between the teams. The next match is scheduled to be played on Saturday at Riverside, Chester le Street.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.