Aaron Finch challenges Australia to reach England's ODI "benchmark"

NICK HOWSON: The captain expects Eoin Morgan's men to dominate 50-over cricket for years to come and says the five-time world champions must up

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Australia skipper Aaron Finch has laid down the gauntlet to his team ahead of three one-day internationals against 50-over world champions England.

After a keenly-contested T20 series which the hosts edged 2-1, the ODI format takes centre-stage with a trio of matches at Emirates Old Trafford

The task facing the Australians is a daunting one. They face the reigning World Cup holders, the nation top of the ICC rankings and knowing on their last visit for a 50-over series in England, they were whitewashed 5-0.

Furthermore, Justin Langer's otherwise well-drilled side does not travel well in this form. They have only prevailed in one bilateral series in the last seven, when they came from behind to stun India. Their lack of consistency sees them languishing in fifth in the world rankings.

"I think their form in white-ball cricket has been exceptional in both formats," Finch told the media. "Their one-day game has been the benchmark since 2016 so it is going to be a great challenge. 

"Leading into this one-day series we're just looking to be as consistent as possible. Our world ranking probably reflects the inconsistency we've had in the one-day format but we're really excited to start this journey again after a long lay off and hopefully play some really good and consistent one-day cricket."

^{Many of England's World Cup winners return to face Australia}

If there is one area of England game Finch is particularly concerned about, it is the relentless aggression exhibited by Morgan's men, who are back to full strength with the return of Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and fit-again Jason Roy. Only Ben Stokes and a jettisoned Liam Plunkett are absent from the XI which beat New Zealand in that super over last July absent.

"We know that any time we play England you can't play at 90 per cent, you have to be at 100 per cent to beat them and we're excited for that challenge," warned Finch.

"They keep coming at you. There is no part in a 20 or 50-over game when you can take your foot off the gas because there will be someone to take the opportunity away from you. 

"It's great fun playing against England because you know you're in for a test every ball, anything can happen and you have to be prepared to take it to them. 

"They had a great four years and capped it off with a World Cup because they were continually aggressive and they put you in a position where you have to make decisions all the time. 

"There is not a five or 10-over block where you can sit back and the game takes care of itself. They've had the wood on us in the recent past but we're looking forward to restarting that."

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