Australian ODI cricket hits low in India

Aaron Finch says Australian one-day international cricket is in the toughest period of his career after losing the series to India.

Australia cricket player Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch says Australian one-day cricket is in the toughest spot he can recall. (AAP)

In the midst of Australia's worst one-day international run away from home, Aaron Finch admits it hasn't been tougher than this.

The Victorian opener has played 83 matches since making his debut in January, 2013.

He reached limited-overs cricket's greatest high as a member of the 2015 World Cup-winning side which romped home in front of a packed MCG two-and-a-half years ago.

Now come the lows.

Thrust into Indian cauldrons, the world champion's brittle middle order has crumbled.

Twice without Finch due to injury, Australian wickets tumbled in Chennai and Kolkata.

In Indore on Sunday he smashed 124 but it wasn't enough to lift his side to a series-saving victory after the other batsmen once again failed to capitalise on a strong position.

Having lost the five-match series with two games to play, Finch isn't shying away from the gulf between Australia and India.

"There is obviously a gap between the sides at the moment," Finch said.

"They're proving that. They're 3-0 up; No.1 in the world.

"There's just a few things that we need to tinker with as players to bridge that gap and get the results going our way."

Australia have lost their past 11 ODIs away from home, discounting two matches which weren't completed due to rain.

The barren run started almost a year ago in South Africa where they were whitewashed 5-0.

It's a fate they'll have to work hard to avoid in India starting with Thursday's match in Bangalore.

"Winning away from home is what every team strives to achieve," Finch said.

"I think whenever you start losing you can at times lose a little bit of confidence in yourself and in the way that you're playing."

Australia have lost spinner Ashton Agar to a broken finger which is almost certain to give Adam Zampa's leg-spin another evaluation against some of the world's finest players of spin.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was dropped in Indore after a shocking run with the bat.

His replacement with the gloves Peter Handscomb didn't set the world alight, making three and fluffing a catch, but is likely to get another chance.

Finch, who averages more than 50 against India, believes anything less than Australia's best will result in another defeat.

"They've got great spinners, unbelievable batting and some good quicks," Finch said.

"I think you have to play well but you also have to go in with the right attitude.

"If you give India a sniff, they'll beat you nine out of 10."


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Source: AAP



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