Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch backed Pat Cummins’ declaration that the team needed to move to a more collaborative approach as being a key factor in their lack of support for Justin Langer being retained as coach.
Finch on Thursday fronted the media in Sydney to preview Friday’s start of the five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka, and reiterated many of the points that the Test skipper had made 24 hours earlier about the players wanting a fresh start after four years under Langer.
When asked about his involvement in the controversial Cricket Australia review into Langer’s contract negotiations, Finch – who is also the captain of the 50-over team, said the time was right for a new voice in the dressing room.
“We sat down in August and talked through all of that, about things to improve and gave our feedback pretty much. That was as much conversation that I’ve really had about it all,” he said.
“Like Pat said yesterday, it’s not our decision to be made but we gave all our feedback along the way and we’ve got to move on from that now and start with the Australian cricket team hopefully winning this series.”
Finch said he had made contact with Langer in recent days via “a couple of text messages”.
He didn’t want to buy into the criticism from former players about the role of the current team in the process.
“I think that throughout the whole thing everyone’s going to have their own opinions and regardless of where you sit on the subject that it’s important that we remember that Pat has done a really good job as captain over the Test series, the Ashes.
“Like Patty said yesterday, guys are sticking up for their mates and we’re doing the same thing.
“JL did an amazing job for four years and that ended with a brilliant T20 World Cup win and a brilliant 4-0 Ashes win. As a playing group, we couldn’t thank him enough and I know personally the amount of work he’s done for me as a batter, as a person, as a leader, it has been fantastic.”
The Victorian veteran is in favour of a more collaborative approach in each of the three squads rather than Langer’s initial hard-line style which changed late last year after he received player feedback.
“I think we’ve started to get there over the last few months in particular with a really collaborative approach to the way that the team’s ran and that’s something that’s been consistent across all three formats.
“Patty and I have spoken about that and that’s really important to us.
“It’s the way that the team functions best. It’s a group that has played so much internationally as well. There’s a lot of experience there and trying to tap into all of that is really important to the group.
“I think the group’s in a really different space from four years ago, I think it’s quite an experienced group so there’s going to be a lot of opinion and there’s going to be a lot of people who want to be consulted and talk through certain situations and scenarios, and I think that’s a really good place to start.”
Finch said he was not sure whether the coaching role should be split between the red and white ball squads.
He also endorsed interim coach Andrew McDonald as a potential long-term successor to Langer, saying his calm approach and attention to detail could complement the strengths of the team.
Finch said expectations had risen after winning the T20 World Cup in the UAE in November heading into Australia hosting the next tournament at the end of the year.
He confirmed Josh Inglis would make his international debut with the Perth Scorcher set to come in at No.3 in the order while another explosive hitter in the Hobart Hurricanes’ Ben McDermott would also be a new face in the line-up, opening alongside Finch.
Finch said Matthew Wade would retain the keeping duties despite Inglis and McDermott also being capable glovemen.
David Warner and Mitch Marsh are the two absentees from the team which defeated New Zealand in the World Cup final.
Australian team for first T20: Ben McDermott, Aaron Finch (c), Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Lots of BBL quicks: the two vets, Siddle and Tye topped the bowling. The Dorff is fit again and the IPL took him. I’m a great Steketee fan and a bloke called Boland rolls a ball out ok. The one I really like, and he will play for Oz, is Xavier Bartlett. Good pace, great control and ripper yorker. Cummins rolls out stacks of half volleys at slog time. I wouldn’t be wearing him out. Nathan Ellis too.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I was a bit surprised they abandoned Philippe after the NZ series. Thought he showed enough there. In 12 months' time I think we could see both of them in the starting lineup. Cummins' spot looks pretty safe for the time being. Kane Richardson was brought in to replace Starc and looked past his use-by date, and the selectors apparently aren't going to pick Jhye in this format until they're confident in his body. Agar could push a paceman out but for some reason they still seem reluctant to go with two spinners.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think Philippe could be even better than Inglis. As batsmen alone, they are better than Wade. As, keepers, well, there is no logic anywhere that gives the gloves to Wade. Smith's injury forces the selectors' hands and that's him gone at T20 level for good. Finch, Stoinis and Starc now, with the jury out on Cummins at T20 level.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Most of the side was embarrassing on those tours. And what you're overlooking here is that Henriques has been picked as something of a backup-backup-backup. Travis Head hasn't played T20I cricket for 3.5 years and he's about to leapfrog Moises in the pecking order. Henriques's selection in this squad still puts him miles away from the full-strength side. Tim David would have been worth a crack but he's in Pakistan. Beyond that, the potential replacements for Henriques would all have to be picked on BBL form anyway.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I'm not going to get into a debate about who the selectors should pick for the WC. We know who your preference is Don, and to be honest you may well be correct. I thought they should have blooded Inglis before the WC last year so he could actually play in it. That doesn't change the fact that Wade currently sits ahead of Inglis in the selectors' eyes. If Mitch Marsh had been available for the first two T20Is against Sri Lanka, Inglis probably wouldn't have played. As long as Wade continues to do a good job then it seems highly likely he'll hold his spot, regardless of whether or not any of us think it's the right call. And if that's the way the selectors see it then it's logical for Wade to hold onto the gloves.
Dave
Guest
He does. WA players/coaches are the best and never need any improvement.
Gee
Roar Rookie
I was a bit rough. Apologies to turnips for comparing them to Henriques.
Gee
Roar Rookie
That shows you the level of The BBL. Averages 20 + SR 124 at international level & was embarrassing on the recent tours of West Indies & Bangladesh. Mates pick.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
“Good enough” but so are 50 or 60 others around the states. He is nothing remarkable and takes the spot of players that may well be remarkable. He has had too long scratching, plodding, struggling then pulling one out just in time to save his skin. He offers nothing better players can offer more richly. CA owes him no charity. He won’t be in the WC. With the wealth of better keepers who are also better batsmen, Inglis, Carey and Philippe will be preferred. They have all gone past him already. Tassie George just has to bite the bullet with his old mate.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Henriques was one of the best performed middle order bats in the recent BBL and was part of the WC squad. His experience, record and fielding make him a smart pick as a backup batsman. Whether you like him or not, it would have been more surprising if he wasn't picked.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Wade has shown himself good enough to keep in this form of the game. Inglis is undoubtedly better, yes, but at this stage is unlikely to be playing once Mitch Marsh returns to the side. If Wade is odds-on to be keeping in the WC then it doesn't make much sense to take the gloves off him for a few games, only to give them back. Role consistency is important. The WC will be his swan song, after which Inglis will probably assume the mantle.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Gee, Gee..short memory on Starc's performances against England
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Okay, if you say so Don
King Julian
Guest
I see the Australian cricket team steering themselves over a cliff in the not too distant future. This entitled attitude is exactly why we have a generation of next to useless kids that are unemployable and perceive themselves as being far better than they are. They use terms such as "dinosaurs" to describe someone with experience and knowledge, solely because they don't put in the hard yards in order to achieve a similar level. Everything is someone else's fault.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Finch says nothing really..........just keeping himself out of trouble with CA which gets him a game.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Agar is better. Just needs a chance. More to the point, Wade is not that good.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
No arguments on the keeping. Massive argument comparing Agar’s batting though. You’re dreamin’
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
We are talking about his keeping. If Inglis is playing, put Wade in the field. Mind you, he is no "lock". He is inconsistent and others will go past him. Given a chance to bat in his position, Agar can do what he does.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Both will hang till the next T20 WC
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
So he made the last T20 WC squad because he was Pat's mate, before Pat was the captain? I don't disagree with the idea that Henriques' selection defies logic but your comments tell me who the real turnip is here