ICC Twenty20: Australia’s Finch unsure of his position

Aaron Finch sits top of the ICC Twenty20 batting rankings, but the opener says he is not sure he will be selected for Australia’s opening World T20 match against New Zealand on Friday.

Finch, who averages 40 in T20 internationals, began the year as his country’s captain in the shortest format, but was then sidelined by a hamstring injury and saw Test and one-day international skipper Steve Smith take the reins.

Although Finch has regained fitness in time for the World T20, he faces stiff competition for his place, with Shane Watson seemingly certain to fill one opening slot and Usman Khawaja also in contention following a prolific Australian summer.

“I’ve got no idea [whether I’ll be picked], to be honest,” said Finch on Monday. “I’m just getting prepared to play as everyone is. I’m sure the selectors will make a call once they see the wicket.”

Finch, who appears to be in line to play after contributing 33 to a partnership of 76 with Watson in Sunday’s warm-up defeat to West Indies, does not expect the fact Khawaja is left-handed to influence the selectors’ decision.

“It’s probably less important in the first six overs, the left hand-right hand combination,” he added.

“From my point of view, it’s about trying to get us off to a quick start. I’m sure Shane is thinking the same and Uzzie is probably in the same boat.

“If Khawaja gets his opportunity, it’s about getting us off to a flyer while the ball is new and hard and then you can afford to probably have a bit more of a look through that middle period when spin comes on and they take the pace right off the ball.

“I feel really good with my game at the moment. I feel as though I’m hitting the ball really well, so if I get the first crack at it, I’m ready to go.”