Langer has faith Finch can recover

CRICKET: Australian coach Justin Langer has backed Aaron Finch to bat his way out of a slump after taking a parting shot at the lifeless MCG wicket.

The opener scored eight and three in the Boxing Day loss to India but Langer is confident Finch has the “toughness and character” to get better from the “lean run”.

Langer confirmed yesterday selectors have discussed the prospect of Finch possibly slipping down the order for the fourth Test starting in Sydney on Thursday.

“It’s something we’re talking about, obviously,” Langer said.

“He’s having a bit of a lean run of it, although he’s got a couple of 50s, a hundred-run partnership one Test match ago and that set up the whole Test match for us.

“Finch is a really good player, we know that, he’s great in the team, he’s working harder than he’s ever worked.

“It’s a great challenge for him. He’ll be better for this period, I think, because Test cricket is about toughness and character.”

India retained the BorderGavaskar Trophy after their 137-run win over Australia at the MCG. If successful in the fourth Test, Virat Kohli will become the first Indian to captain his country to a series victory in Australia.

The Aussies copped the worst of the conditions in Melbourne, forced to bowl on a flat and lifeless wicket for two days in searing conditions.

Langer took a swipe at the MCG wicket yesterday before boarding the team bus.

“I love playing at the WACA and I love playing at the Adelaide Oval, there’s a bit of pace and bounce,” Langer said.

“In Melbourne, the last couple of days were more of a contest because the wicket deteriorated. From an Australian point of view ... you’d like to see probably a bit more bounce.”

The state of the SCG wicket could determine all-rounder Mitch Marsh’s fate, with leg spin option Marnus Labuschagne added to the squad.

“We’re interested to see what we get in Sydney next week,” Langer said.