Twenty20 International: Finch takes blame for Australia’s opening defeat

Australia’s Twenty20 International captain Aaron Finch took the blame for his team’s opening defeat in their three-game series against India on Tuesday.

Australia failed to reach India’s Virat Kohli-inspired total of 188-3 in Adelaide, responding with 151 all out in a disappointing 37-run defeat.

Opener Finch top-scored for the hosts with 44 off 33 balls before being trapped lbw by Ravinchandran Ashwin (2-28), with Steven Smith (21) their only other batsman to surpass 20 runs.

The captain, however, took the blame for Smith’s dismissal, as well as the losses of David Warner (17) and Travis Head (2), stating he could have done more to take the game forward.

“I allowed us to get too far behind the rate from the start. David Warner and Steven Smith were outstanding with their intent and I couldn’t hit boundaries for a period there, so I take full responsibility for them getting out – and Travis,” said Finch.

“After I was 20 odd off 12, [you’ve] probably got to capitalise on that more, be the aggressor and take the games forward a bit quicker.

“They kept bowling at my pads and I couldn’t hit them for some reason. The boys at the top of the order played beautifully and I think I allowed us to get too far behind the rate.”

Veteran all-rounder Shane Watson (2-24) was left out of squad for the 4-1 one-day international series win over India but was recalled for the T20Is after impressing in the Big Bash League with winners Sydney Thunder.

The 34-year-old claimed the wickets of Rohit Sharma (31) and Shikhar Dhawan (5) in his first over, and, while Finch enjoyed his display, he was frustrated Australia could not build upon it as India raced away.

“He [Watson] was outstanding. He showed all of his experience. Just changed his pace and his length so well,” Finch added.

“He’s played 50 Twenty20 Internationals now and seems like hundreds of games around the world of Twenty20 cricket and I think he used all of that.

“He got two early-ish wickets which always helps and we couldn’t back that up through the middle which was a bit disappointing.”