FINCH IS TEST READY: BOOF
Lehmann backs calls for batsman’s Baggy Green
DARREN Lehmann has backed calls to install Aaron Finch as Australia’s next Test opener.
With Finch set to pack his bags for the two-match series against Pakistan in the UAE — as exclusively revealed by the Geelong Advertiser on July 24 — Lehmann tipped the Geelong batsman to make his long-awaited debut in October.
“He can play Test cricket, there’s no doubt about that,” said the former Australian coach, who will be in Geelong for a Sunday Session with Darren “Boof” Lehmann on August 19.
“He’s confident in the way he plays spin bowling, he can take an attack on, and leading into this Pakistan series he’s a really good chance to be selected for that one.”
A prolific run scorer in limitedovers cricket, Finch forced his way into Test calculations on the back of a fruitful period where he smashed 684 runs at 85.5.
Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes and ex-Victorian batsman Darren Berry have called for his inclusion, believing he is the frontrunner to fill one of three spots vacated by banned trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Lehmann, who quit as national coach after the Cape Town balltampering scandal, admitted Finch was on the fringe of selection in the later part of his tenure.
“He was always knocking on the door, but he just hadn’t made runs consistently,” Lehmann said.
“But his last couple of Shield years have been pretty good. If you take a look at his numbers, they’re right up there.
“He probably could’ve made a few more hundreds and pushed his case even further but he’s one player we talked about quite a lot.
“He’s close, and when I was coach, he was close. He’s probably closer now.”
Lehmann is adamant Finch deserves to be in the Test squad, but said his position in the top order would depend on conditions.
“For example, if you’re playing in the subcontinent where the wickets don’t seam that much, I’d open with him,” Lehmann said.
“But if you’re playing in Australia, I’d bat him down the list. That’s the challenge Justin (Langer) and the selection panel have. But they’ve got to pick him first and work out where he bats.”
Lehmann also weighed in on the push for a Big Bash League franchise in Geelong, believing there is scope for a third side in Victoria.
“Geelong’s such a greater sporting city, so there probably is
(room for a team),” Lehmann said. “The problem is, we’ve just extended home-and-away games from 10 to 14, so I’m not sure how it’s going to work.
“I liked it how it was, to be perfectly honest, so it’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out in the next 12 months and see if people come.”
The Melbourne Renegades are likely to return for two T20 games this summer, while powerbrokers for Geelong’s T20 franchise work to enhance the proposal in front of Cricket Australia.
“The people of Geelong will support one or two games, but would they support eight games? I don’t know,” Lehmann said.
“The people of Geelong love their cricket as much as their footy, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
“But right now, I want to see what happens in the next 12 months to know whether they should expand or not.
“That’s the challenge for everyone.”