David Warner might have had a poor IPL 2021 campaign but Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch has backed his opening partner and confirmed that the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman will continue to open with him in the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Australia face South Africa on October 23 in Abu Dhabi.
More than injuries, poor form has been a big concern for Australia going into the T20 World Cup. Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith have all been out of form while Australia have struggled in their series against West Indies and against Bangladesh. They lost both the T20I series against West Indies and Bangladesh in the build-up to the World Cup.
As for David Warner, he was dropped from the SRH Playing XI after a poor show. In 8 matches, he scored 195 runs at 24.27 average but his strike rate went down to 108, forcing SRH to take a drastic decision, removing him from the captaincy.
Aaron Finch said it would be good for Australia due to the left-right combination. “I think you would expect to see David Warner and I open the batting in the World Cup. It is something that has worked for us for a long time now,” Aaron Finch told Sportstar.
Aaron Finch has also been in poor form before going under the knife for surgery. He also played with an injury during the West Indies series. Furthermore, with a string of pullouts, Australia haven’t had their set team during the last two series.
The likes of Steve Smith, Daniel Christian have also struggled for form. Smith, playing for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2021, he has scored 152 runs at an average of 25.33 with a strike rate of 112.59. The only player who seems to have got his form back is Glenn Maxwell. He has slammed three half-centuries and scored 407 runs at an average of 40.70. Moises Henriques has also shown form.
However, Aaron Finch has backed Steve Smith. “Smith is the best batsman in the world. I have no doubt he is the best possible option to fulfil the anchor role. Guys like Stoinis and [Matthew] Wade are high-quality cricketers that can fill any role in the Australian order. All our players are adaptable enough to bat in the middle order, and I think you will see whoever is called upon in the World T20 do a terrific job,” Finch said…
Aaron Finch will also be looking to break their T20 World Cup drought. The last time Australia reached the semifinal stage was back in 2012. Although Australia did come back to form and achieved No 1 rank in T20Is in 2020, they have lost five straight T20I series and were even bowled out for 62. But Finch is confident that Australia still has a team that can win the T20 World Cup.
“I don’t think people should read too much into the playing against spin in West Indies and Bangladesh. I think we have picked a team that can win the T20 World Cup. We have the utmost faith in every single player picked. No doubt, they will be able to help us win,” Finch said.
“The bowlers we have picked are world-class, so I am looking forward to seeing what they do on the big stage,” he added.
