SYDNEY - Opening batsman Aaron Finch will lead the Australian Twenty20 team in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka with captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner resting ahead of the tour of India.
Finch, who was stand-in captain in Monday’s One-Day International against New Zealand, will take the helm for three matches in February, Cricket Australia announced Tuesday.
“It’s very exciting to be back and leading the side in Steve’s absence,” said Finch, who has captained the national Twenty20 side on six previous occasions.
“It’s been a rollercoaster from being captain leading up to the ICC World Twenty20 (in 2016), being injured and then Steve taking over the reins for that tournament, but it’s something that any time you get the chance to captain your country in any format, you’re very chuffed about.”
Finch captained the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 Big Bash competition and believes selectors will be spoilt for depth in the absence of some of Australia’s leading playmakers.
“There are some extraordinary players around the country that will now get an opportunity and I think that’s only a good thing for Australian cricket,” he said.
Smith and Warner have been left out of the Twenty20 squad as they prepare for the four-Test tour of India which begins on Feb. 23.
Former opening batsman Justin Langer will step in as acting head coach for Darren Lehman for the Sri Lanka Twenty20 series which kicks off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Feb. 17.
Guptill out of 2nd ODI
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill will miss the second One-Day International against Australia because of a hamstring twinge, team officials said Tuesday.
Guptill was one of the best Black Caps performers in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy Monday in Auckland, scoring 61 as New Zealand posted a six-run win.
Coach Mike Hesson said Guptill had suffered a minor hamstring strain while fielding and would sit out the next match in Napier as a precaution.
“After being monitored over the last 24 hours it’s become apparent he won’t quite be ready for Napier,” Hesson said.
“He’ll remain with the team and we’ll continue to monitor him ahead of the third ODI in Hamilton.”
Northern Districts batsman Dean Brownlie, who last played for New Zealand in December 2014, has been called in as a replacement.
