Fresh start for T20s

Finch claims ‘no baggage’ from Test defeat

AARON Finch says a refreshed Australia won’t be weighed down by the Test series defeat to Pakistan when the two sides resume hostilities in the first of three T20s.

This morning’s clash at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi comes just days after the tourists succumbed to a crushing defeat in the seriesdeciding second Test.

Finch is one of four – along with Mitch Marsh, Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle – in line to back up after playing in the Tests.

“There’s nine fresh guys that have come into our squad from the Test series so there’ll be no baggage from them whatsoever,” Finch said.

“I’m the only batsman out of the top handful that was here for the Test series so I think, in that regard, they’re just going to come in and play their natural game.”

Finch yesterday said Australia was yet to settle on its XI for the opening T20 after Marsh, Lyon, Starc and Siddle all sat out Monday’s warm-up match against the UAE.

Master blaster Chris Lynn looms as a big potential inclusion after recovering from his latest shoulder injury sustained in New Zealand in February. Lynn and opener D’Arcy Short, who has also battled shoulder issues, were wearing fluoro orange vests during fielding drills at Australia’s training session on Tuesday night but both were declared fit for the game.

“Obviously being injured for quite a while, it’s always a bit uncertain with Chris in the field whether he’s diving and stuff like that,” Finch said.

“But from all reports he’s 100 per cent. He says he’s feeling great at the moment and it’s great to have him back.”

Pakistan were knocked out by Australia in the group stages of the 2016 World T20 but their record against all opposition since stands at an imposing 23-4.

Nine of those wins were against a weakened West Indies while others came against Scotland, Zimbabwe and a World XI.

It is nonetheless a formidable run for a team boasting genuine T20 superstars in batsmen Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman and legspinner Shadab Khan.