Aaron Finch named T20I captain for Sri Lanka series
Aaron Finch has been named Australia's captain for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka, set to start on February 17. His appointment was recommended by Cricket Australia's (CA) National Selection Panel (NSP) and endorsed by CA's Board of Directors.
The Melbourne Renegades captain has previously led Australia in six Twenty20 Internationals and was also in charge in Monday's One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Auckland following an injury to Matthew Wade.
With the entire 16-member squad selected for the Test series against India unavailable for the T20I series at home, Finch will have to make do with virtually a second-string side. Among the big names who will be missing from the series include Steve Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc.
"It's very exciting to be back and leading the side in Steve's absence," Finch said after his appointment on Tuesday (January 31). "It's been a rollercoaster from being captain leading up to the T20 WC (in 2016), being injured and then Steve taking over the reins for that tournament but it's something that, any time you get the chance to captain your country in any format, you're very chuffed about.
"We'll be missing some big names, some of the biggest in world cricket, but you can't dwell on that and it will be a fantastic opportunity for guys who've performed well in the KFC Big Bash League to push their case for further inclusion, and inclusion in the other formats too.
"There are some extraordinary players around the country that will now get an opportunity and I think that's only a good thing for Australian cricket."
The three matches of the series will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (February 17), Kardinia Park in Geelong (February 19 ) and the Adelaide Oval (February 22).
The squad for the three-match T20I series will be announced on Wednesday. The squad will work with the triumvirate of acting head coach Justin Langer and assistant coaches Ricky Ponting and Jason Gillespie, who will assume those roles in the absence of Darren Lehmann and his assistants Graeme Hick, David Saker and Greg Blewett, who will be in India.
Aaron Finch named T20I captain for Sri Lanka series - Cricbuzz