Maxwell to get batting promotion: Finch
HYDERABAD: Looks like Glenn Maxwell is set to get his desired promotion in the batting order though Australia coach Justin Langer tried to defuse the chatter by quoting the waiting game a day earlier. After match-winning knocks of 56 and 113 not out in the T20 series, Maxwell had said he would want a chance to bat up the order, but Langer effectively dismissed it saying the management will do whatever is best for the team.
Australia captain Aaron Finch however had no qualms confirming his promotion on Friday as a reward for his form. “Glenn will get an opportunity to bat higher up the order than No 7 AARON FINCH, Australia captain on India team that he batted against India in the previous series (in Australia). He has been in great form. His ODI cricket has been great as well. I am not sure where he will bat but higher than 7 I would imagine ,” Fin ch said hereon Friday, ahead of the first O DI.
Despite Maxwell’s good run with the bat, Australia know it would be difficult to replicate their T20 success against a team that last lost ahome ODI series in 2015, to South Africa. “Their batting is really strong. They have got in Virat arguably the best player of all time in ODI cricket. Rohit has been in good form. They have quicks who move the ball upfront and execute really well at the death. They play well everywhere to be pretty fair.
“When you have a team that has played together for a long time, they understand each other well. Probably a settled group of 14 or 15 very good players are playing for a long time. That goes a long way (to explain) why they have been successful.”
Australia are without David Warner and Steve Smith not only for this series but in all likelihood the entire five-match ODI rubber against Pakistan in the UAE, though they would have completed their one-year bans by the third ODI.
The last two ODIs are on March 29 and 31. But Finch said the duo, recuperating after elbow surgeries, may not play.
“I don’t think David or Steve will play (March 29). I’m not 100 percent sure, but don’ t think they will play the last one or two games.”
› They have in Virat, arguably the best in ODI cricket. Rohit has been in good form. They have quicks who move the ball upfront and execute well at death.