Langer hints that Aaron Finch might be Australia’s next ODI captain

SIGNAL FOR FINCH AS ODI CAPTAIN

Australia coach Justin Langer has signalled that the current T20I skipper Aaron Finch is likely to be appointed as the captain of the one-day international (ODI) team as well.

A CLOSE LOOKUP

After facing a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the finals of the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe, the Australian coach confessed that they need to contemplate upon many areas, including the team leader.

“After this tour, we’ll have a real close look at everything we’re doing at the moment including our team leader, which is such an incredibly high priority in Australian cricket,” said Langer.

“Finch has, without doubt, put his best foot forward in this series. So we’ll look at that. We’ll look at all our staff. We’ll look at everything to make sure we keep moving forward,” he added.

Finch exhibited an impressive form in the recently-concluded T20I tri-series, becoming the leading run-scorer after making 306 runs at the strike rate of 201.31 in five innings.

PRAISES FOR FINCH

Praising Finch for his recent promising performances, Langer said,”He’s been brilliant. Finch and I spoke in private yesterday and I told him he’s done a great job. To have someone that powerful is a great example to all our players,” Langer said.

AUSTRALIA’S HUMILIATING DEFEAT

It should be noted that Australian ODI captain Tim Paine’s leadership abilities are currently under scanner after the side’s humiliating 0-5 ODI defeat against England last month.

Paine took over the captaincy after former skipper Steve Smith was handed a year ban for his apparent role in the massive ball-tampering scandal.

A LESSON FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS

While there weren’t as many wins as Australia would have liked in England and Zimbabwe, Langer believed the team’s inexperienced players would get a lot to learn from this tour.

“Usually you have eight [experienced] players and a couple of younger players,” Langer said.

“We’ve probably got three experienced players [Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Andrew Tye] and eight very inexperienced players.I know the balance isn’t quite right at the moment and hopefully we’ll get that balance back”, he added.