Finch is ready for life after Warner

THE absence of David Warner will be hard to miss during Australia’s ODI series against England, but few will feel it as acutely as Aaron Finch.

Warner and Finch’s cleanhitting combination at the top of the order has been the cornerstone of Australia’s batting order in recent years, including its 2015 World Cup triumph. The potent pair have opened the batting in 48 onedayers, putting on an average stand of 40.23 runs.

Only three Australian opening pairs have fared better — all of them have involved either Adam Gilchrist or Mark Waugh.

But Warner’s 12-month ban means he and Finch won’t be walking out together on Wednesday, when Australia’s five-match ODI series in England starts at The Oval.

“I suppose it will be a little bit strange. I’ve been speaking to him quite a bit over the last little while,” Finch said.

“We’ve all had a chance to get our head around the fact that he, Steve [Smith] and Cameron [Bancroft] aren’t going to be part of it for the next little while. Which way the selectors go for the opening spots, I don’t really know, but I think it’s an exciting time for Australian cricket that we can start to build again.”

Nobody can say with certainty whether Warner will be part of the World Cup defence in England next year.

What is clear is that Finch will have a new opening partner. Regardless of who it is, Finch suggested it would be easy for him to adapt.

“It’s just building the relationship. That’s the foundation of any good opening partnership,” the vice-captain said.

“Getting an understanding on running between wickets, different styles of batting.

“You build that at training and out in the middle. We’ll do that in the tour games.”