'Outstanding': In-tune Finch hitting the right notes

Australia are resembling their great one-day sides of yesteryear, according to Ricky Ponting, who has lauded Aaron Finch's tactical acumen as the reigning 50-over champions approach the business end of the World Cup.

Defending what they believed was a below-par 243 on a dusty Lord's pitch against New Zealand on Saturday, Finch conducted an off-beat orchestra of rapid-fire bowling changes and part-timers bowling one-over spells to astutely lead Australia to an 86-run victory.

The skipper confounded even Ponting and head coach Justin Langer during a seven-over stint where he used six different bowlers, including himself for a single over, but there were no qualms with the outcome.

"The way that Finchy is leading this team now right through this tournament … has been outstanding," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"The way he's using his bowlers and not just using them in the moment, but he's thinking forward in the game as well.

"He's very in-tune, but he's also very confident in believing in what he thinks is right and going with that."

With a smile, Ponting added: "I must admit there were a few raised eyebrows when he brought himself on today.

"He's confident, he's backing himself and more often than not, the moves are coming off.

"The big moments in every game we've been winning and that’s the difference in tournament play. Most games that we've played, there have been moments where the game has been slipping away and we've had to dig really deep and claw our way back into the game, and today was another great example."

Finch brought back strike weapon Mitchell Starc at a crucial juncture in the New Zealand innings, with the left-armer grabbing the vital wicket of Kane Williamson to begin a collapse of 8-60 after they'd appeared on track in their run chase.

But what may have appeared as Finch’s biggest masterstroke was actually an idea of Langer's, Ponting revealed.

After part-time leg-spinner Steve Smith had bowled one unsuccessful over, Finch brought him back on to bowl to Colin de Grandhomme at a point that, on the face of it, appeared unusual given his side had just removed the Kiwis' best two batters in Williamson and Ross Taylor.

De Grandhomme promptly hit the very first ball he faced down long-off's throat.

"(Langer) was actually behind one today, he was behind Smithy bowling to de Grandhomme when he first came out," said Ponting.

"We were sitting on the balcony saying, ‘if this comes off, this will be the biggest fluke of all-time.’

"Sure enough, first ball he hit straight down long-off's throat. You could see he was pretty happy about that one."

Another important decision was to hold Nathan Lyon back while right-handers Williamson, Taylor and Martin Guptill batted through the early parts of the Black Caps' chase.

Finch then unleashed him later on against the Kiwi left-handers, whom he turns the ball away from and is generally considered a more dangerous prospect against.

It paid off as Lyon suffocated New Zealand's middle- and lower-order, conceding just 36 runs from his 10 overs and removing left-hander Jimmy Neesham.

Ponting said Finch has helped shape a team environment that feels similar to some of the great Australian sides he played in and led during one of the country's most successful cricketing eras.

"There's some really good vibes around the team," said Ponting. "The first couple of team meetings I walked into, I just felt that it felt pretty familiar to me – the way the boys were talking and the way they were looking after each other.

"You put all those things in the mixing pot together, it's not rocket science – you're going to get good results." 

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE