Finch continues T20 run spree for Surrey
GEELONG’S Aaron Finch has continued his career-best Twenty20 form in England, smacking an unbeaten 67 to extend a purple patch that could result in a maiden Test call-up.
Finch has scored 545 runs at 136.25 for Surrey in the English T20 competition, including two unbeaten tons.
Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will miss the Pakistan Test series because of suspension, meaning there are places up for grabs in the batting order.
Matthew Renshaw is expected to stay at the top of the order, having played the fourth Test in South Africa following the Cape Town balltampering scandal.
National selectors are yet to settle on the new-look opening combination but it is understood they have discussed the prospect of handing a baggy green to Finch.
There is no like-for-like replacement for Warner.
However, Finch boasts the ability to clear the rope at ease and leadership talent that is reflected by the fact he is the favourite to lead Australia’s one-day World Cup defence in England next year.
No batsman has represented Australia as much or scored as many international runs as Finch, who has played 93 ODIs and 42 T20 internationals, without donning the baggy green.
He scored a century during Australia’s 5-0 ODI series loss in England earlier this year then a world-record 172 against Zimbabwe in Harare.
“I’ve got myself to blame for that (not playing Tests),” he said last month.
“When I was younger I had an opportunity to really push my case.”
Finch steered Surrey to a seven-wicket win over a Hampshire outfit that included pacemen Dale Steyn and Chris Wood, keeping his side in contention for a quarter-final berth.
Returning after missing three games because of a family bereavement, he had a reprieve on 18 when Lewis McManus dropped a regu- lation chance in the deep.
Otherwise Finch was untroubled as he and fellow Australian Nic Maddinson put on 92 for the third wicket in 11.4 overs.
Renshaw has landed in India with Australia A, which starts its one-day series today.
National coach Justin Langer has already made it clear the Australia A tour will be somewhat of a selection trial for the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE that is set to start in early October.