As David Warner is likely to return for the World Cup, Australia’s opening combination for the May-June tournament in England remains uncertain.
Aaron Finch had opened with Warner during the 2015 World Cup. In the absence of Warner, Finch produced stands of zero, three, 76, 83 and 193 with Usman Khawaja in the recent five ODIs against India.
Warner and Steve Smith are serving ball-tampering ban, which is slated to end on March 28.
The form of Khawaja and Warner’s looming return have complicated the situation. The most likely outcome is Khawaja will bat at number three but Finch, having batted twice at number five during last year’s ODI series in England, has vowed to do whatever is best for the team, cricket.com.au reported.
“If that means me batting at six, I’ll comfortably do that. If it’s at the top, three or four - it doesn’t matter. Personal results aren’t what this side is about. I think that’s what has made our improvement as dramatic and quick as it has been,” Finch said.
ALSO READ: IPL 2019: Virat Kohli’s greatness is in keeping things simple - Jacques Kallis
“If you go in just solely focused on scoring a hundred or thinking ‘if I bat five I’m not going to get a hundred, I don’t get enough opportunity’, that’s not what is best,” he added.
With Finch’s place in the team continues to rumble amid the tough selection created by Warner and Smith, he has been locked in to lead Australia at the World Cup.
“I still feel really good with my game my rhythm is there. There’s probably been some times where you start doubting your technique - for me it’s about going back to what’s worked for me in the past. Some people would have taken a bit more notice (of Australia) over the last couple of weeks,” he said.
The Finch-led side will take on Pakistan in a five-match ODI series, beginning March 22 at Sharjah before drawing curtain down to their international season ahead of the tournament in England.
Australia will start their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on June 1 at the Bristol County Ground, Bristol.
First Published: Mar 21, 2019 14:48 IST
