Australia set to persist with Finch despite Waugh, Ponting criticism

Finch has had a dismal series so far, averaging just 16 while opening the batting with 50 of his runs coming in the first innings of the second Test in Perth.

Former captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting may want out-of-form opener Aaron Finch to be dropped but the Australian team management believes otherwise. Finch is set to get another shot at top of the order in the fourth and final Test against India starting Thursday in Sydney.

Finch’s failure to replicate his white-ball form into Test cricket and the struggles against Indian new-ball bowlers Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah prompted the Australian greats to demand his removal but Australian head coach Justin Langer is in Finch’s favour.

"He's having a bit of a lean run of it although he's got a couple of 50s. Got a 100 run partnership one Test match ago and that set up the whole Test match for us. Finch is a really good player, we know that he's great in the team, he's working harder probably than he's ever worked and as I've said to him for some time he's in this uncharted territory where he's the only guy playing all three forms of the game,” Langer said.

Waugh and Ponting however, were severe on Finch.

"I've seen Labuschagne has come into the line-up so to me straightaway that means Finch has to miss out and Usman will open the batting, I'd imagine," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"That's how it looks... Labuschagne probably bats four, Head five and Mitch Marsh six. I think that's the way they're going to line up.
"I can't really think what else they can do. The selectors and the captain and coach have obviously had a long chat about what they want and what they expect. We'll see how they line up," he added.

Both Waugh and Ponting have predicted the inclusion of leg-spinning all-rounder Marnus Labuschange in the playing eleven.

Test legend Waugh posted his preferred Australia XI for the final Test at the SCG on Instagram.

According to Waugh, Marcus Harris and veteran Shaun Marsh should open the batting, followed by incumbent Usman Khawaja.

Waugh feels Travis Head, Australia's leading run-scorer in the series against India, should bat at No.4 ahead of captain Tim Paine, Labuschagne, and Mitchell Marsh.

Waugh's preferred bowling unit would be Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

"I can't really think what else they can do. The selectors and the captain and coach have obviously had a long chat about what they want and what they expect. We'll see how they line up," he added.