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Aaron Finch has made a bowling change more than once every three overs in the World Cup as his leadership helped transform the team from the horror of 2018.

Aaron Finch has a go-to tactic as captain.

Be it in charge of the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash, standing in for Victoria or as skipper of Australia's World Cup campaign.

And it will be on show again in the biggest match of his captaincy career, against England in Thursday's semi-final.

"He always says if in doubt, take the positive option," Renegades teammate Tom Cooper says.

"Both with bat and ball.

"He says it with the message you have been picked in the team to do a job. So don't fear stuffing it up."

Cooper knows Finch's captaincy better than most.

He's played under him at the Renegades since Finch took over in 2012, just weeks after the opener's 26th birthday.

Since then, Cooper has learned never to be surprised by Finch's tactics.

Like the time he made a last-minute switch to have the top-order batsmen open the bowling in the 2015-16 Big Bash season.

Or the fact that in this year's World Cup, Finch has changed a bowler once every 2.7 overs.

"He's always been a spur-of-the-moment captain," Cooper said.

"Whatever comes into his mind, if he gets a feel for something he goes for it.

"But with field placements, tactically and bowler changes and that sort of stuff. A lot of planning goes into it.

"But if he's got a gut feel he's got the confidence to go with that."

Finch's captaincy has evolved over time.

Nowadays, he has a full notebook that's updated after every match of the World Cup with notes on opposition teams.

His planning is thorough, knowing the importance of wickets in the opening and middle overs.

Keen observers have noted how Nathan Lyon has bowled overs at this year's World Cup to build pressure, before being taken off once its resulted in a wicket at the other end.

He was also one of the first to cotton onto the importance of batting first in matches, a trend that helped Australia win early games as the struggles of chasing emerged.

"We talk about that as a general theme in what we do. You always want to be positive," Finch's coach at the Renegades, Andrew McDonald says.

McDonald has known Finch since he was a 16-year-old and the pair have remained close since.

"As a captain it's all about risk management," he adds.

"And knowing when to be all-out attack and when to defend your situation.

"The one thing for me is the time and preparation he puts into planning.

"He's got his little notebook and will build the tactics leading into the game.

"Early in his captaincy career there might have been a bit of make it up as you go. But now he's really putting the time into that."

Finch's general leadership qualities have developed in that time too.

By his own admission he's had to learn to talk less in team meetings, simplifying the messages for his players.

He's had to learn to control his emotions and on-field demeanour,

At first, he was animated in his on-field demeanour, constantly showing his emotions.

"I know from a bowler's perspective it can sometimes have a bit of a negative rub off," Cooper said.

"Or if you misfield or drop a catch or something.

"He's a lot better at it now. Because with that experience he's realised it sometimes can affect others negatively.

"That's an area where he has improved through experience."

Finch is now one of the biggest calming influences on the Australian team.

Generally unflappable, his demeanour after each game at the World Cup has been the same regardless of if Australia had just flogged England or lost to South Africa.

It's why when Australian cricket was on its knees last year, Finch was one of the men they saw fit to help lead them out of crisis.

And come this weekend, potentially to a World Cup title just 15 months after the pits of Cape Town.

"He's a fantastic individual," McDonald says.

"He has great empathy for people. He's the sort of guy who can talk to anyone in any walk of life. He gives his time.

"That's one thing people don't understand. In a leadership role you have to be giving of your time to other teammates. That's what he does."