Aaron Finch might have retired from ODI cricket, but teammate Glenn Maxwell has backed him to find form during what could be his career swansong.
Australia, who are in the final preparations for a T20 World Cup on home soli during October and November, will play India away in a three-match series, the West Indies at home in a two-match series, and England also at home in three matches before the start of the global tournament.
Finch, who has struggled for form in all formats of the game over the past 24 months, has made it clear that he will remain as captain of the shortest format through the World Cup, although the selectors may have something to say about that if he can't find form.
Maxwell, who will also be part of the charge to defend the T20 World Cup, told reporters that batting in India during the three T20s could be Finch's opportunity to refind some form.
“I think he will enjoy having these games in India and enjoy batting there,” Maxwell said.
“He will get to go back to Chandigarh, where he has played IPL with one of the eight franchises he has played for [Punjab Kings]. He will enjoy batting there and there are some nice wickets.”
Finch captained the team to Australia's first T20 World Cup crown last year and will bring plenty of experience to the team, but the calls for him to be dropped have grown loud in recent times.
Despite that, Maxwell said Finch's leadership at the tournament would count for plenty and was on display in the UAE last year.
“We saw it a lot last year in the UAE – in that tournament, I thought he was outstanding with our whole bowling group,” Maxwell said.
“He was brilliant with the whole strategy side and the way he keeps the group nice and calm, and is able to communicate with the bowlers. It is a very underrated thing in Twenty20 cricket. You think it is all helter-skelter and go along with the plan, but he is really good tactically. Don’t discount his value as captain.”
