Aaron Finch declares he’s fit to face Sri Lanka in T20 opener
Australia captain Aaron Finch says he is “99 per cent chance” of facing Sr Lanka in the T20 opener, but admitted his team will miss seamer Andrew Tye who is out for the series.
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Aaron Finch says he’s shaken a side strain to lead Australia in Sunday’s Twenty20 opener against Sri Lanka in Adelaide but laments seamer Andrew Tye’s series ending injury.
Finch graduated a searching net session on Saturday against tearaways Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Billy Stanlake without inconvenience. Throwing was causing Finch concern until a convincing stint in the field at Adelaide Oval.
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“Ready to go. I felt good batting just a bit worried about throwing. Getting here and batting and throwing a lot gave me a lot of confidence,” said Victorian Finch who had battled back spasms and a tear in his side muscle last week.
“It is probably how I pull up but I would say I am a 99 per cent chance of playing. The last three days have been really good, I have full movement at training.
“I feel confident.”
Australia will hit Lasith Malinga’s Sri Lanka with blue chip speedsters Starc and Cummins in what promises to be a torrid welcome to the series. Expert death bowler Kane Richardson could start with Tye injured while Stanlake will menace the tourists if Australia plays one of spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa. Tye will be replaced by Sean Abbott in the squad.
Finch had wanted to use T20 specialist Tye’s variations as a point of difference entering the run to a home 2020 World Cup. Australia is hosting Sri Lanka and Pakistan in three-match series.
“AJ is a quality bowler and it is unfortunate we are not going to have him most likely for these two series,” said Finch of Tye whose replacement will be named by Monday.
“It was one of the first throws he did in a high intensity drill, a bit off balance side arm slingy throw and went pop.”
Australia’s 14-man squad will form the fulcrum of its World Cup assault. Superstars Steve Smith, David Warner, Cummins and Starc have been rarely sighted in Twenty20 combat for Australia outside of World Cup years but Justin Langer wants his best side available in pursuit of a breakthrough title.
Australia hosts the 2020 World Cup followed by another in India during 2021 which means the shortest format will gain overdue priority. Smith hasn’t played a T20 international for three and a half years which can partly explain Australia’s fifth ICC ranking.
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“The fact we haven’t performed at our best, it is a real focus to have continuity of selection. To have 21 matches before the World Cup and play three-game series is really important,” Finch said.
Smith is eligible to lead Australia next March but Finch expects only a form drop would mean he wasn’t captain when the World Cup starts in October next year.
“It comes down to doing your main job first and that is for me making runs,” said Finch with an exceptional 37 average over 52 T20 internationals.
“If I look after that I am sure the rest will take care of itself.”
Ashton Turner will be ‘monitored’ said Finch given his shoulder still prevents strong throwing meaning the allrounder will field inside the ring this series.
Veteran slinger Malinga said the T20 series was crucial to his side’s World Cup preparation while relishing another confrontation with IPL rival Steve Smith.
“It’s a good opportunity. We know how good he is,” said Malinga.
Originally published as Aaron Finch declares he’s fit to face Sri Lanka in T20 opener
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