Aaron Finch made his international captaincy debut last night as Australia began their UAE tour with a T20 match against Pakistan. Can Finch use his new lofty status to push for a Test spot?
Finch has taken over the captaincy from George Bailey, who stepped down from T20 to better prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup and to try to regain his Test spot by playing more first-class cricket.
Bailey has shown Finch that there is a pathway into the Test side via limited overs cricket. The Tasmanian batsman’s prolific run making for Australia in ODIs saw him earn a Test debut in last summer’s Ashes, despite a modest first-class record.
Finch has declared himself ready for Test cricket and former champion Australian paceman, and Roar colleague, Jason Gillespie agrees with him.
Gillespie coached Finch at Yorkshire this past English summer during which the Victorian scored 291 runs at 48 from five matches, including 110 from 146 balls against Warwickshire in June. Finch batted at six for Yorkshire although Gillespie said he believed he could also open the batting in Tests.
“I’m convinced he could play a role for Australia in the Test side in that middle order, if not opening,” Gillespie told cricket.com.au recently.
“A good counter-attacking batsman who puts pressure back on the bowlers, I think they’re like absolute gold. He’s certainly someone the Australian selectors should look at.
“Forget his first-class record – put that out of your mind.”
When someone of the calibre of Gillespie makes a statement such as this you take notice. But it is difficult to do as he instructed, and overlook Finch’s first-class record of 2187 runs at an average of 29.
I wrote a piece for The Roar last year, declaring that Finch was a long way from a Test player. My opinion hasn’t changed. Regardless, there is no doubt Finch is closer to cracking the Test XI now than he was then.
We have seen time and again that being under the nose of the national selectors is all important. Players who turn in scintillating efforts for Australia in coloured clothing can sneak their way into the Test team ahead of cricketers with better first-class records.
Finch has swiftly become Australia’s premier T20 batsman, with an average of 41 across his 18 matches catapulting him to number two on the world T20 rankings.
Meanwhile, after a stuttering start to his ODI career he has blossomed to the point he is now a lock at the top of the order, relegating Shane Watson to first drop. His past 21 ODIs have brought him 917 runs at 46, including four centuries.
Finch has not just churned out runs for Australia in both ODIs and T20 but he has also shown admirable development in the longer of those formats.
He began his ODI career as a one-dimensional batsman – a see ball, hit ball bludgeoner who heaved his blade at deliveries from the first over. This approach bore some fruit. But such an all-out-attack strategy is hard to sustain, particularly on slower decks or against elite bowlers.
Duly, Finch has adapted. During Australia’s disappointing triangular tournament against South Africa and Zimbabwe in August and September, Finch was one of the few touring batsmen to adjust successfully to the slow pitches.
He shelved his more expansive strokes early in the innings, before unfurling them once well set. This mature and circumspect style was rewarded with 250 runs at 50, the second highest return for the series after South Africa’s Faf du Plessis.
Finch has made the opening position his own in limited overs cricket. He has also been given generous opportunities to bat there for both Victoria and Australia A in first-class cricket.
The results, however, have been dire. Over the past three Sheffield Shield seasons, Finch has scratched together 448 runs at an average of 15 from 16 matches.
In spite of such horrendous statistics, he was offered the chance to open for Australia A against South Africa and Zimbabwe in Africa last year.
Not surprisingly, he laboured in those three first-class matches, averaging 26 from six innings. Set against this backdrop it would seem unfathomable that Finch could press for Test selection in the near future.
Yet if his blistering limited overs form intersects with a flurry of runs in the Sheffield Shield this summer, then he may do just that.
twodogs
Guest
Well, they said that about Ponting early on.
twodogs
Guest
That was my point in the first place.
Rellum
Roar Guru
You are confusing the time we used to rest test players for one day games and the period of "informed player management" where players where rested from everything, including Test's. All the uproar was about players being rested from the test team during this period. "informed player management" gave us as many, if not more injuries than previously with terrible test performances to go with those injuries.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Blooding new players at 5 and 6 would be much preferable to the merry go round we have seen at first drop since Ponting departed that position. I feel Smith would relish the challenge of batting first drop and that he's ready to take that on in the near future.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That is a very likely scenario, although Smith could stay at 5 and if Doolan is dropped that still leaves 3 and 6 open. If 5 and 6 are open I would love to see Burns and Carters looked at for blooding long term players. Lynn would be a good choice for me also. I have no doubt the selectors will go with Marsh, Finch and Maxwell or Maddison. That last selection panel regarded international runs as more valuable that FC runs and the new panel looks to have the same view. So a Aus T20 50 is worth more than a FC hundred. On Dizzy and his generation (which is mine by the way) look back to when they dominated test cricket in the mid naughties and think that is how you play the game and you need those sort of players. I think we forget that that team was built on a decade and half of improvement stacked with players who took decades to get the experience and ability to play that way. A young Matty Hayden of J.Langer would not bat the way they did at the end of their career. They built up to that level. So I agree that a Finch type of player could be a dominate player, but he needs to build up to that level over years, not bang a few T20 50's and then get picked for the Test team.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Again, don't think first drop would suit Finch as you say, Smith could. I think there a few ahead of Finch for that middle order spot, but, form in Shield could help him. Although, not always as seen previously...
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Number six and first drop are both uncertain for Australia in the near future with Watson constantly injured and Doolan yet to cement his place. Smith could even move up to first drop soon, leaving 5 + 6 as positions up for grabs which would really make things interesting.
Armchair Expert
Guest
If Finch's ODI and T20 form, along with his county form are relevant to test selection, then you also have to mention his recent Yorkshire 20/20 early 20s average in 10 innings, which gives him a combined average in the early 30s for Yorkshire.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I think Gillespie is on the money playing him in the middle order. Number 6 is far from secured, so IF he averaged 50+ in the Shield this season, who knows? That would probably require Smith becoming an all rounder though.
Vish
Guest
We should have players playin only 2 formats. its going to take a lot out of the players playin all 3. Warner for Tests n ODI Finch for ODI and t 20. Maddinson for t 20 s. everyone criticized the rotation policy. but tatz what kept goin our Glenn Mcgrath Steve waugh and Bevan. players playin their peak till retirement. its not about jus changing personnel each game. but give the backups a game in btw. and to choose a similar replacement. example Mitch Johnson - Mitch Starc Harris - Pattinson Siddle - Sayers - Hilfenhaus
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I think Finch could well be on his way. The real question is who is dropped at this point. I'm not sure if I'd like having two of the best attacking batsmen in the world opening in tests. It flirts with danger. I don't think he will get in the middle order because there is the issue with who is dropped.
Vish
Guest
I agree mate that pace ll rule the 2015 wc. But wid the 2 white balls after 35 overs spinner s can dominate. jadeja was very difficult to get away. We as Aussie fans jus get carried away too easily. Warner s gud. Finch statistics are good in ODI but u see the bowlers he got against. We hv to get O keefe in. The arm ball ll play an important role
JJJ
Guest
Beyonce COULD knock on my door and say 'hey baby how 'bout it!' Just like finch in the test team - it could happen. . . . But it ain't gonna!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hi Jason, always great to hear from you. Finch has been played mostly as an opener for Vic and Aus A in first-class cricket recently, but you played him at six for Yorkshire which seems a far better fit for him. It will be interesting to see where he slots in for Vic in the Shield. It seems the middle order is the best avenue into the Test team for him as Warner looks set to open for the long haul and I can't imagine the selectors wanting two very aggressive players facing the new ball in Tests.
Steve Mikic
Guest
As skipper of his country he played a most careless innings by going hard against the pace of Irfan and eventually meekly surrendering against spin. With a small target and some inexperienced batters to follow he needed to play each ball on its merits and not place the middle order on unnecessary pressure. He is a long long way off test selection and even the selection panel can see this.....
Jason Gillespie
Guest
Aaron Finch can potentially play test cricket.Clarity of thought is key in terms of knowing exactly what is expected of him and being allowed to just go out and play knowing he has the full support of everyone. IMO he could be used by Australia in the middle order to put pressure on the opposition with positive stroke play. I believe he has the game to adapt to different situations in the middle order. Time will tell.
Nudge
Guest
Gee Declan, I'd hate to hear how you would feel about Australian cricket if we weren't no 1 or 2 in the world in one day and test match cricket
Nudge
Guest
Yep Jadeja and Raina will get smoked over here
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Bowlers like jadeja and raina may "stifle the scoring" on slow Asian decks but let's see how they go on Aussie pitches which don't turn much and which come onto the bat nicely. Pace will rule over spin in the World Cup.
Vish
Guest
Finch in the test team would be a joke. He has the gateway of India between his bat and pad and inswing bowlers would love to bowl to him. and his onside play is too pathetic. He cant use his feet well against the spinners and he cant sweep well. He is a flat track bully. tatz wat he is. But he could play an important role in ODI. Provided he takes more singles and he rolls his arm better. India are the ODI team to beat now. And we should take the cue having bi skilled players is the need. We have to play spin well to win the world cup. Bowler s like Jadeja and Raina jus stiffle the scoring . we have to be more consistent and merciless. We drop too many catches these days. those should be correctes