Great opportunity for top-order guys to challenge that opening spot: Finch on Warner's return

Australia skipper Aaron Finch said that it is a great chance for his top-order players to seize the opportunity and make it difficult for the selectors to hand over the top (opening) batting slot to Warner

With Australia star opener David Warner expected to make a much-awaited comeback to his national team after his ban ends in March, skipper Aaron Finch said that it is a great opportunity for his top-order players to seize the chance and make it difficult for the selectors to hand over the top (opening) batting slot to Warner, if and when he is ready to return.

Both Warner and Steven Smith would be available to play once their suspension period ends. The visitors would like to settle scores with the 'Men in Blue' after losing both the Test and ODI series in their own backyard.

"I think there's definitely a great opportunity for guys to come and really challenge for that (opening) spot," Finch said.

"We've seen 'Davey' (Warner) obviously have some elbow surgery recently, as well as Steve (Smith).

"So for that to be in the back of your mind as well, that if things don't go 100 percent right with their rehab or they have some complications with it and they're not back in time.

"It's a huge opportunity for guys to step up and almost cement their place, for the next little while."

Aussie batsmen Alex Carey, D'Arcy Short and Usman Khawaja are some names that are on the top of the list of contenders who can possibly open the batting with Finch in the first T20I against India in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

"In the one-day side, D'Arcy's here for the first couple as cover for Shaun. He (Marsh) been exceptional when he has opened the batting and obviously been prolific in the middle order as well," Finch said.

"Usman (Khawaja) and myself, Alex (Carey) – there's still a few options.

"Still three, four or five different combinations you could go with in that regard."

"I think there's definitely a great opportunity for guys to come and really challenge for that (opening) spot," Finch said.

"We've seen 'Davey' (Warner) obviously have some elbow surgery recently, as well as Steve (Smith).

"So for that to be in the back of your mind as well, that if things don't go 100 percent right with their rehab or they have some complications with it and they're not back in time.

"It's a huge opportunity for guys to step up and almost cement their place, for the next little while."

With World cup just few months away, Australia wants its star openers to return and make a strong comeback. According to Finch, Australia will even make changes in the batting line-up to make room for Warner.

"There's also things you can juggle around in one-day cricket," Finch said.

"I've batted in the middle order a little bit over the last little while, Davey has done it the odd time.

"So whatever we feel is the right combination at the time – I don't think anything is out of question."