India vs Australia 2019: Test cricket Probably the Worst Thing to have Happened to Aaron Finch: Ian Chappell

Australian Cricket team skipper Aaron Finch is currently going through a terrible run of form which has hurt the team’s cause as Australia have struggled to put on good opening partnerships. In the wake of it, Ian Chappell feels the inclusion of Finch in the Test squad was the worst possible thing that has happened to him.

Although Finch started his Test career on a good note in the UAE against Pakistan. He scored 62 and 49 in his debut Test, but since then, his form has witnessed a downslide. That fifty against Pakistan is one of only two half-centuries he has scored since October 2018 while the other came against India in Perth. In the shorter formats, his run-scoring has nearly dried up. He has only scored 158 runs in the 17 innings since his Test debut, crossing 15 only twice.

Headache for the selectors

The run drought has led the Australian selectors to try out different options at the top-order. Since October last year, Australia have tried out seven different openers for white-ball cricket, but none of them has stuck in and cemented his position. Moreover, the selectors also demoted Aaron Finch at no three, but it didn’t change the fate of the Melbourne Renegades batsman. The opener could manage to score eight runs from the two innings in the T20I series against India.

Speaking on Aaron Finch’s form, Ian Chappell noted it is a headache for the selectors. He also pointed out that this is the worst thing that he has happened to the incumbent opener. The former Australia skipper also added that it looks like Finch is currently playing without much confidence. However, he still has nine ODIs in his hand to get back to form ahead of the ICC World Cup in England and Wales starting from May 30.

“It’s a hell of a headache for the selectors,” Chappell told Wide World of Sports. “Probably the worst thing that happened to Aaron Finch was playing Test cricket. Certainly, India worked him out in the Test matches, and that flowed on into the one-day series. He’s playing like a man without much confidence,” he added.

In conclusion, Ian Chappell feels Pat Cummins should take over the captaincy if the management decides to drop Aaron Finch from the squad. The second ODI between Indian National Cricket team and Australia is on March 5 (Tuesday) at Nagpur.