Published 12:51 IST, November 4th 2019
Aaron Finch borrows Alex Carey's abdomen guard during Pakistan T20I
While fielding at short-leg, captain Aaron Finch borrowed the abdomen guard from wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey. The game, however, ended in a no-result.
Advertisement
Pakistan's tour of Australia went underway on Sunday with a T20I clash between the two teams. The match may have ended with an unfortunate no-result but there was no shortage of drama and quality cricketing action on a rainy Sydney afternoon. The three-match series will now move forward with a game on November 5 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Advertisement
Aaron Finch borrows Alex Carey’s abdomen guard
Earlier in the day, captain Finch won the toss and decided to send Pakistan to bat in overcast conditions. During the Pakistani innings, Aaron Finch was fielding at short-leg at one stage. While fielding, Finch went up to wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey to borrow his abdomen guard. The event occurred when Finch also called for a helmet from the dressing room. Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who was commentating at the time, said that the skipper will be needing a box for protection. Gilchrist also noted that it is not usual to see a captain going under the helmet on the field. During the commentary, the former wicketkeeper also jokingly remarked that sharing a box is not very hygienic.
Advertisement
Captain Aaron Finch played a blinder
Before rain interrupted play, Aaron Finch played a blazing knock during Australia’s rain-curtailed innings. Chasing 119 for victory from 15 overs, the left-handed batsman smashed Pakistani pacer Mohammad Irfan to all corners during the third over. The Australian skipper launched a maximum over square leg to start the over. He then smacked back-to-back boundaries over mid-wicket and cover-point, the latter of them being off a no-ball. The opener then cleared his leg and launched another one into the crowd before finishing the over with 26 runs. Rain stopped play after 3.1 overs, with Australia’s scorecard reading 41 for no loss. Aaron Finch himself accounted for 37 of those runs, and his whirlwind knock came from just 16 balls.
Advertisement
During the post-match presentation, Finch said that it was frustrating to content with a no-result as the home side were in with a great chance to go 1-0 up in the series. The Australian limited-overs captain also mentioned that the 20-minute innings break did not make much sense to him in an already reduced game.
Australia will now face Pakistan for the second T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on November 5. The final game, which will now be a series-decider, will be played at the Perth Stadium on November 8 before the action shifts to red-ball cricket.
Advertisement
11:16 IST, November 4th 2019