Good to have selection headache than none at all, says Aaron Finch

PHOTO

From being all at sea without two of their stalwarts to filling the void admirably, Australia are faced with a conundrum of sorts with the World Cup just around the bend. But it is a happy headache to have, feels Australian captain Aaron Finch.

Steve Smith and David Warner's forced absence presented an opportunity for the others to step up, and step up they did with players like Ashton Turner, Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh giving Australia something more to think about when Smith and Warner return to the fold for cricket's centerpiece.

Turner and Handscomb in the series win against India and Marsh too followed in making an unbeaten 91 in Australia's victory against Pakistan in the first ODI in Sharjah. And Finch, who ended his drought by bringing up his 12th hundred, said that it was better to have a selection headache than none at all, heading into the World Cup.

"There is probably 17, 18, 19, 20 that can come into that 15-man squad for the World Cup," said Finch. "So, it is important that we respect that. Unfortunately, there is going to be some tough calls so we will wait and see. But it is a huge situation to be in, to be able to make those tough calls rather than having guys that you need to fill spots. We have got guys that are all putting their hands up which is a real positive," he added.

The 32-year-old admitted that playing in subcontinental surfaces for a long period of time helped them tackle India in India and now Pakistan. He also showered praise on Marsh for his knock.

"It was still a different wicket altogether to what we faced in India. I thought the innings Shaun Marsh played was a really crucial one for the team. He took a lot of pressure off early on and through the middle overs when I started to really struggle. But I think it is always a positive playing in the subcontinent for quite a long time and getting used to the conditions because they are so different to Australia where you are used to a bit more bounce and you are able to hit through the line a little bit more. So, anytime that you can play in these conditions is always a positive," Finch said.

Finch had last scored a century against England at Chester-le-Street in June last year and the Victorian revealed that his 'Rapid Fire' drill has helped his armoury.

"It is something that I've been doing for a couple of weeks now. It is just rapid fire, back foot, front foot, trying to hit the ball in the middle of the bat which is all I've been trying to do. And I feel like my game has been in a really good spot for a while. It is just that there have been some times when I've got a couple of good balls early, made a couple of mistakes early. That happens when you open the batting, you face world class bowlers with a brand-new ball. I've still been really positive with my game and the rapid fire is just a part of my preparation now," he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Haris Sohail, who scored his maiden hundred, said that he would've enjoyed the milestone a lot more had his team won. "When you score a century for your country, whoever the opposition, the feeling is quite different. It would have been an even better feeling had we won. I would have enjoyed it a lot more," said Sohail.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.