World T20: Khawaja expects Finch to open against New Zealand

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja expects Aaron Finch to return to the line-up and open the batting at the World Twenty20 in India.

Finch was absent from Australia’s T20 series-sealing six-wicket victory over South Africa on Wednesday, with Khawaja and Shane Watson preferred atop the order at Newlands.

Khawaja (33) and Watson (42) combined for 75 runs in the third and final T20.

However, Khawaja has tipped himself to make way for former captain Finch when Australia open their World T20 campaign against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Group 2 on March 18.

“Finchy was there before I was, when I came into the team he was T20 captain,” said Khawaja.

“So he’s been there and done it. He was the incumbent, I was the player coming in.

“I sort of expect him to come back into the team anyway.”

Khawaja added: “It [selection] is part and parcel of the game. I’ve been through both sides of it – I’ve been dropped, I’ve been picked when some other guy has been dropped.

“I’ve been on both ends of it and I’m just so nonchalant about it now. I’m just chilled out.

“Whatever they want to do, they’ll do. I believe everything happens for a reason.

“There’s some things you can’t control in life and that’s one of them.

“I’m just enjoying playing cricket. I’m happy that I’m fit and healthy, I don’t have too much to complain about.”