India vs Australia | We’ve got to give Aaron Finch care and support, says Justin Langer

03/01/2019

Australian hard hitter Aaron Finch might be experiencing a barren phase of late failing to contribute to the team’s cause but he seemed to have the full support of coach Justin Langer. Langer also revealed that he has been in constant touch with Steve Smith and David Warner who would return soon.

While Australia might have had a historic series win on Indian soil after years, they would very well know that there was some luck involved in it. While the first T20I required Umesh Yadav bowling below the mark in the final over, the second T20I saw Glenn Maxwell stepping up to the occasion, something which is a rare occasion.

Australia would be desperate need of more support from the other batsmen and the biggest of them would be the regaining of form of Aaron Finch. The swashbuckling opener, who is also the skipper of the team, was dismissed or just eight runs in the second and final T20I in Bengaluru and has also failed to get a fifty across both the shorter versions over 19 innings. However, coach Langer seemed to keep his calm in these times and stated that all Finch needed was support.

"He's such a good player, such a good person, captain of the team, we know he'll come good. We just got to keep giving him plenty of care and support. We know he'll come good. There's no more destructive player in the world - we talk about 'Maxi' (Glenn Maxwell), Marcus Stoinis, a number of our players who can be so destructive - but when he's going, he is as destructive as a player as there is in white-ball cricket. We know he'll come good and we'll be patient with him," said Langer, reported Cricbuzz.

"Another important part about leadership is that he's really consistent. We haven't see any real change in his personality or his attitude around the group, so that's a real credit to him. That's why he is the captain of the team. My experience of every captain, the most important thing is they're playing really good cricket. He's got to keep his attention on that. He's got lots of support around him. Like I say, he's such a good person, he's got to be Aaron Finch, be himself. He's doing that. He's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. We'll just keep encouraging him to be himself. His runs will come, keep encouraging him to be himself and I'm sure he'll come good soon," he noted.

Australia are looking to get a full strength team ahead of the 2019 World Cup with both their estranged stars – David Warner and Steve Smith - also returning to the fray from their respective bans following by injuries. And Langer revealed that he has been in touch with them for the last nine months and they would be making a comeback soon.

"I've been in touch with them for the last nine months and as it gets closer to them coming back in the squad, I'm not sure it increases how much we speak to each other, it's been consistent. That will remain the same. I think Dave's probably a little more advanced (in his rehabilitation) but my understanding is they'll be ready to go in the not-too-distant future."

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all