Australia’s Finch says he’s ready to go for T20 World Cup
Captain Aaron Finch has declared he will be ready for Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup warm-up games as the team’s cluttered preparation for the tournament slowly takes shape.
The bulk of Australia’s squad completed its six-day quarantine on Thursday, but with Josh Hazlewood still on duty in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pat Cummins a late arrival after the birth of his first child it will still be some days before they can train as a full team.
The underwhelming form and lack of matchplay for batting stars David Warner and Steve Smith have also been problems.
But one issue the team has clarity on is the fitness of the skipper, who is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery in July. Finch is expecting to lead the team in its warm-up games against New Zealand and India on Monday and Wednesday respectively before their tournament opener on Saturday week.
“Originally it was touch and go to be available for the two warm up games but at the moment it looks like there’ll be no problems so looking forward to getting out and back into it,” Finch said on Thursday night.
Australia’s Twenty20 captain Aaron Finch says he’s ready to go for the World Cup.Credit:AP
Finch will partner Warner at the top of the order, but the No.3 position is up for grabs between Mitchell, Marsh and Smith.
On reputation, Smith would get the nod, but Marsh turned in a compelling audition in the Caribbean and Bangladesh. There is, however, an argument Marsh is a better fit than Smith in the middle order, where he has had success for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash.
Matthew Wade will get first crack with the gloves, Finch confirmed, despite the wicketkeeper’s patchy record batting lower down the order and understudy Josh Inglis’s strong form in that role at domestic level.
Warner was benched after scores of zero and two for his IPL franchise Hyderabad Sunrisers, but is buoyant, Finch said.
“Over the years we’ve seen when he’s got his back against the wall he’s a fighter. I’ve got no issues with the preparation he’s had,” Finch said.
“He’s come here in great spirits, he’s come here with a great attitude and that’s rubbing off on the boys. He’s organising things behind the scenes, he’s doing everything that he loves to do. I’ve got no issues and come game one he’ll be ready to go.”
The fierce heat of the Middle East, where temperatures hover in the mid to high 30s during the day, is another challenge to overcome for a team coming out of an Australian winter. Three of Australia’s group games will be played during the afternoon when conditions are at its most oppressive.
The club versus country debate was a major talking point over the off-season after star players withdrew from winter tours weary from the IPL, but the resumption of the lucrative league has given Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis invaluable match practice at World Cup venues.
“We understand the conditions have been pretty brutal over the last couple of weeks,” Finch said.
“The guys in the IPL are match hardened and used to them, the guys from Australia are off the back of a really strong preseason with their state team. I think it should be fine. It has its challenges right across the board with the heat but I’m sure all teams will be ok with it.”
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