Australian coach Justin Langer backs opener Aaron Finch to escape form slump

Justin Langer has stood behind battling open Aaron Finch, claiming the underfire batsman can get out of the slump that threatens his Test career.

Australian captain Justin Langer speaks to Aaron Finch (left) at the change of innings on day two of the second Test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Saturday, December 15, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

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Australian coach Justin Langer has backed Aaron Finch to bat his way out of a slump but also took a parting shot at the lifeless MCG wicket.

Finch, 32, scored eight and three in the Boxing Day loss to India but Langer is confident the Victorian has the “toughness and character” to get better from the “lean run”.

Langer confirmed selectors have discussed the prospect of Finch possibly slipping down the order.

“It’s something we’re talking about, obviously,” Langer said.

“He’s having a bit of a lean run of it, although he’s got a couple of 50s, a hundred run partnership one Test match ago and that set up the whole Test match for us.

LISTEN! Russell Gould from the Herald Sun and Ben Horne from The Daily Telegraph join Andrew Menczel to dissect Australia’s 137 run loss to India in the Boxing Day Test.

We also hear from Peter Handscomb after his matchwinning performance for the Melbourne Stars against the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash.

“Finch is a really good player, we know that, he’s great in the team, he’s working harder than he’s ever worked.

“It’s a great challenge for him. He’ll be better for this period, I think, because Test cricket is about toughness and character.”

India retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy after its 137-run win over Australia at the MCG.

If successful in the Fourth Test, Virat Kohli will become the first Indian to captain his country to a series victory in Australia.

The Aussies copped the worst of the conditions in Melbourne, forced to bowl on a flat and lifeless wicket for two days in searing conditions.

Finch’s spot at the top of the order has come under fire. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Langer took a swipe at the MCG wicket on Monday before boarding the team bus.

“I love playing at the WACA and I love playing at the Adelaide Oval, there’s a bit of pace and bounce,” Langer said.

“I guess all I’d say is, all the years we’ve gone to India we haven’t played on too many bouncy wickets, it usually spins square.”

The state of the SCG wicket could determine all-rounder Mitch Marsh’s fate, with leg spin option Marnus Labuschagne, 24, added to the squad.

Langer was unimpressed by the pitch in Melbourne.

“We’re interested to see what we get in Sydney next week, we’re not sure, a bit inconsistent, even India played a practice game there it was very flat,” Langer said.

“The most important thing in Test cricket now (besides absorbing balls when batting) is the wickets we play on.

“In Melbourne the last couple of days were more of a contest because the wicket deteriorated... you want to see a good contest between bat and ball and from an Australian point of view we got three of the best fast bowlers in the world and a gun spinner, you’d like to see probably a bit more bounce.”

Originally published as Australian coach Justin Langer backs opener Aaron Finch to escape form slump