Smith a chance to fill in for Finch
STEVE Smith’s return to captaincy could potentially be extended to white-ball cricket as the threat of surgery hangs over Aaron Finch.
Australia’s T20 World Cupwinning skipper is hoping he can delay going under the knife for further work on the knee he had operated on last year, at least until after the tour of Pakistan in March, when he might get a break in the schedule.
However, with nine whiteball matches against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in February, then three ODIs and a T20 in Pakistan in March, it will be a big ask for Finch to get through all those internationals if his knee is sore, especially given he still has a Big Bash campaign to complete first.
Smith’s performance as Test captain filling in for Pat Cummins in Adelaide, and the largely warm public reception he received, will make the champion batsman a prime candidate to take the reins off Finch.
Not just because Smith proved a cool head under pressure, but the controversy surrounding his return as captain following sandpaper scandal barely caused a ripple.
Cummins looks an obvious stand-in for Finch but the fast bowler has made it clear captaining the Test team is enough of a burden.
“I think it’s too much to ask, certainly of me. I’d love to just
concentrate on Test cricket,” Cummins said when appointed.
Finch’s knee troubles highlight his bravery to play through the pain barrier to lead Australia to glory at the T20 World Cup, but admits he is destined for further surgery before he defends the crown at home late next year.
“We pushed it pretty hard with the rehab and the timeline to be fit for the World Cup,” Finch told Gerard Whateley on SEN ahead of his BBL return for the Renegades.
“But it’s well worth it in hindsight, to go through all the pain and monotony of the rehab to win the World Cup.
“I had a scan when I returned home and (surgeon) David Young, who did a wonderful job with my knee surgery originally, said he’d like to do a little bit more on it just to clean it up and realign a few things and make sure it’s all on track long-term.
“I just don’t have time at the moment … depending on what happens with the IPL auction, there might be some time after the Pakistan series.”