Australia’s powerful opener Aaron Finch can envisage a time when a one-day chase of 400 won’t seem far-fetched.
And it might not be that far away.
Finch, Australia’s own masterblaster with an ODI strike rate of 93 and 178 in Twenty20, thinks scores of 300 are just about par in the modern game.
So far a score of 400 or more has been successfully chased on just one occasion.
Australia became the first team to pass the mark when they plundered 434 at Johannesburg and South Africa chased it down in a remarkable clash in 2006.
Since then eight teams have scored 400 or more in an ODI, though scores against the Netherlands, Bermuda and Ireland inflate that figure somewhat.
But only Sri Lanka, who racked up 411 chasing India’s target of 415 in 2009, have done so batting second.
Just last week, however, India mowed down Australia’s target of 360 with ease – completing the second greatest runchase of alltime with 39 balls to spare.
“The scores that we are seeing all around the world now are exceptional,” Finch said.
“300 is almost becoming a par score.
“We’ll get to the point where 400 will be chased, I mean India chased 360 in 44 overs against us.
“That just goes to show how much the game has changed over the last 20 years.”
At the start of the year two rules were enforced which have potentially made life easier for batsman and made bigger chases more attainable.
Firstly, five fielders must be inside the 30-metre circle at all times meaning a maximum of four on the boundary.
Secondly, two new balls are now alternated from each end – limiting the chance of reverse swing.
“It’s a part of the game that’s definitely changed, and it’s something that we’ve had to adapt to,” Finch added.
“I think the end of the innings has become pretty crucial.
“The two new balls are still very hard and there’s not much reverse swing in the one-day game now – the balls are still too new.
“I think that’s why we’re seeing such big scores in one-day cricket.
“Obviously there’s only four (fielders) out, but the balls are still hard at the end of the innings and guys are powerful enough to hit it over the rope consistently now.
“I think the game has definitely changed in the favour of the batsmen now, no doubt.
“Bowlers have become unbelievably skilled over the last few years, to be able to keep adapting with the times…
“Changing and improving all the times, trying to stay ahead of the batsmen. It’s very hard to do.
“I mean, we’re seeing teams get 120-130 off the last 10 overs consistently.
“That’s phenomenal … to think that you can chase down any total, basically, if you’ve got wickets in hand.”
