PAINE OPEN TO VIC DUO

AUSTRALIAN captain Tim Paine has no reservations about Victorian duo Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch being first Test openers against an Indian pace attack he says is suited to Aussie conditions.

Potential debutant Harris and national white-ball skipper Aaron Finch, who made his Test debut in the UAE against Pakistan last month, are shaping as the opening pair for the first Test at the Adelaide Oval starting December 6.

It comes despite national coach Justin Langer flagging Usman Khawaja, who is returning from injury, as an option to move to the top of the order, and Bushrangers coach Andrew McDonald suggesting Finch may not open for his state in next week’s Shield match.

But Paine is comfortable with whatever scenario plays out, confident in the selectors.

“I think we have a good idea on the way we want to go,” Paine said of his batting line up. “If they are two I am totally comfortable with that. I think if Finchy plays for us in the Test series I dare say it is going to be at the top of the order.

“I am not too sure and to be honest I am not too fussed [where he bats in the Shield match], that’s Victoria’s decision. You would like to think they would help him prepare as best as they possibly could, but at the same time they have got a Shield game to win and they will pick the best side and the best line-up they think will win the game.

“We are going to come up against an excellent side, India have been playing really well, albeit they lost to England in England, but … they have put together a really good team now.

“They have an excellent pace attack which we probably haven’t associated with India for a number of years.

“Their team is more suited to playing in Australia and that’s a great challenge for our group and one I’m looking forward to.”

Having seen Harris close up at Blundstone Arena this week, where the left-hander contributed 22 and 67, Paine believes the 26-year-old has the game to succeed.

“I have always thought Marcus was an excellent player, even when he was playing for WA, he always looked extremely talented and really dangerous,” he said.

“The move to Victoria, I think he has said himself he has matured as a cricketer.

“For me watching him during the week, I think his defence has improved a lot and he has always had that attacking game and can score quite quickly. I think his game is pretty well suited to Test cricket.”

I think if Finchy plays for us in the Test series I dare say it is going to be at the top of the order

TIM PAINE