Michael Clarke backs Aaron Finch to come good ahead of T20 World Cup


image-l7u5cxwoFinch has been woefully out of form [PC: Twitter]

Australia's limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch's rut with the bat followed him to the ongoing Chappell-Hadlee trophy as well. Finch recorded his third duck in his last seven ODIs, managing merely 26 runs in the process.

He also created an unwanted record by being the only Australian player to score five ODI ducks in a year. In 2022, the opener has 169 runs at an average of 13.0. Finch has invited a lot of criticism for his performances, where former players have called for him to be dropped.

However, former Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke has backed the 35-year-old to come into form ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.

Speaking to Sky's Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke reckoned it would be hard for selectors to drop the defending T20 WC captain.

“He needs runs, there is no doubt about it... you can’t drop Finchy out of the World Cup squad now that it has been selected. I’m assuming they’re looking at the one-day cricket different to the Twenty-20, so even if he makes no runs in this last one-day, that might be the end of his one-day career but I think they’ll certainly still start with him in the Twenty-20 World Cup.

It’s a massive call to drop your captain a month out from a World Cup. I think that could cause more chaos.”

Australia lead the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand 2-0, with the third and final match being held on Sunday.


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