Swans learn from a master stroke-maker

By David Nagel
CASEY-South Melbourne’s under-performing batsmen received a pain-free lesson on how to bat on Saturday from Geelong State representative Aaron Finch.
Pain free because in the end it counted for nothing.
A lesson because it was absolutely brilliant.
Finch made 159 off just 115 balls as the Cats smashed their way to 6/239 against the visiting Swans, who then faced eight overs, ending on 1/24 when stumps were drawn.
Due to inclement weather, it was the only one of nine Premier cricket matches to see any action on Saturday.
To fall in line with the other eight matches – which will all be played as one-dayers this week – Saturday’s scores will be wiped from the record books and the Swans will travel down the highway in coloured clothing to take on the Cats in a one-dayer.
There were no early indications of what was to come on Saturday as the Swans jumped out of the blocks early.
Ash Perera had recovered from a foot infection during the week and he took the first wicket to fall.
This was closely followed by two Rod Bird scalps and all of a sudden the home side was reeling at 3/30.
The hard-hitting Finch was joined by Tom Elliott, and the two quickly changed the momentum of the game.
Finch was brutal, blasting 24 fours and four sixes as he treated the Swans’ attack with utter contempt.
Elliott was finally removed for 47 by Clive Rose but not before the two had put on 189 for the fourth wicket. Finch followed not long after for a memorable 159 and at 6/239 the home side declared, asking the Swans to take to the crease.
For the visitors, Bird ended with 3/71, Rose 2/68 and the gutsy Perera 1/40.
At that stage the home side thought the match was being played as a two-day game so their decision to declare was a good one based on the Swans’ poor form with the bat this season.
At this stage of the season there are not a lot of positive things to report.
Disregarding Matthew Wade – who has played one game for the Swans this year, making 54 – no other batsman at the club is averaging 20 and Rohan Blandford leads the club aggregate with 139, 20 runs less than Finch made on Saturday.
Other stats of concern are the 56 wickets the Swans have lost this season – the highest in the competition and their 841 runs is the second lowest tally behind Hawthorn-Monash Uni.
Casey-South Melbourne still has credits in the bank after the stellar season of last year and has the talent to turn things around. The youth policy forced upon Coach Mark Ridgway after pre-season departures has seen some expected inconsistent performances this season, but that can only be an excuse for so long.
Especially now they’ve had a lesson from Aaron Finch.