Australia v India: cheap dismissal doesn’t help Aaron Finch’s chances touring NZ

SELECTORS look set to bench Aaron Finch for the tour of New Zealand, and on Saturday the opener did little to convince them they should change their minds.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Ishant Sharma of India celebrates taking the wicket of Aaron Finch of Australia during game five of the Commonwealth Bank One Day Series match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 23, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

SELECTORS look set to bench Aaron Finch for next month’s tour of New Zealand, and on Saturday the opener did little to convince them they should change their minds.

In one sense Finch was unlucky to be given out lbw first over, considering the ball from Ishant Sharma was missing off-stump.

But Finch’s decision to not even offer a shot and depart meekly for six only reinforced the theory that the powerful right-hander struggles whenever the ball does something.

Sharma’s delivery did plenty off the pitch and Australia are anticipating seam and swing to play a major role in the ODI series kicking off against the Black Caps in Auckland on February 3.

The writing is already on the wall for Finch, even though he is set to captain Australia in the upcoming World Twenty20 in March.

It’s understood he was set to miss Saturday’s match at the SCG to accommodate Shaun Marsh, and was only saved by the fact Glenn Maxwell was instead forced to withdraw due to injury.

However, with not only Marsh but Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns pushing for ODI places in New Zealand, Finch may already know that his fate for this next series is sealed.

George Bailey also faces a nervous wait and despite a brilliant series against India overall, Saturday’s departure, also for six, won’t help his cause of staying in the soon-to-be-amended XI to face the Black Caps.

Aaron Finch failed to offer a shot to Ishant Sharma and paid the price.

Australia are vying for the No.1 Test ranking, and as harsh as it may be, the priority of achieving that significant milestone is likely to influence selections for the one-dayers in New Zealand.

In short, Finch and Bailey may pay the price for not being five-day players.

Without an official tour match to lead into the two Test matches, the Chappell Hadlee series is the only preparation option available for the majority of players.

It’s almost imperative that Khawaja with the form he is in forces his way into the ODI side, and selectors will also be desperate for Test opener Burns and standby Marsh to spend as much time at the crease as possible.

With a 14-man ODI squad for New Zealand to be announced on Monday, selectors also have some big decisions to make in the fast bowling department.

Peter Siddle is back bowling after an ankle injury and will play for Victoria in their Shield match against Tasmania on February 3 at the MCG as a fitness run ahead of the Test opener in Wellington on February 12.

James Pattinson is also on track with his recovery from a shin problem, however it’s unclear whether selectors will want him to play in the same Shield match for Victoria, or in the one-day squad, where he would be able to practice in New Zealand conditions, even though it wouldn’t be with a red ball.

Pace leader Josh Hazlewood poses an interesting conundrum.

NSW have a Shield match against WA in Christchurch scheduled for February 3, meaning Hazlewood can gain valuable first-class match-practice on Kiwi soil ahead of the first Test.

However, if selectors are picking their strongest one-day side, Hazlewood is the first pick in that attack.

It’s likely fellow Nathan Lyon would play the Shield match for his state rather than the one-dayers.