India vs Australia : “We have guys who can step and contribute heavily” – Aaron Finch names players who could replace David Warner for final ODI


India vs Australia : “We have guys who can step and contribute heavily” – Aaron Finch names players who could replace David Warner for final ODI

Australian Cricket Team

David Warner limps off the field
David Warner limps off the field

Explosive Australia opener David Warner has been ruled out of the remainder of the white ball series against India. Warner picked up an injury during the second ODI and scans later revealed it to be a groin strain. The southpaw was in top form and contributed heartily to the series victory with his flamboyant hitting atop the order.

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But his absence leaves a big hole in the Aussie line up. The team management are in a for a challenge as they look to replace a player of Warner’s caliber for the clash in Canberra on Wednesday.

We have got a few options

Australian Cricket Team

Australia captain Aaron Finch admits that Warner’s absence weakens the team as he went on to hail his opening partner an all-time great in white-ball cricket. But Finch believes that the Kangaroos have the bench strength to manage if not fill the void. Finch has been struggling early in his innings. And Warner’s absence means the skipper has an added responsibility for the remainder of the white ball series.

He is an all-time great in one-day and T20 cricket. I do not think there are many better players to have played the game. So, any team he is not a part of is going to be slightly weaker. But we have got guys that can step and really contribute heavily in that role, cricket.com.au quoted Finch as saying.

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Captain Finch names Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey as probable replacements for Warner. While Wade has been warming the bench, Carey hasn’t spent much time in time in the middle. On the other hand, Labuschagne struck a well-paced 70 in the second encounter. And has shared that he is ready to open if asked. Finch hinted that the hosts might experiment with the middle order having already the clinched the series.

Also read : “I would enjoy it if I got asked to open” – Marnus Labuschagne ready to step up in David Warner’s absence

We have not picked a team yet, but we have got a few options. Whether we go Wadey in the side or Marnus comes up and opens the batting, Alex Carey has done a lot of it in the past,” said Finch.

But the middle-order has been functioning really well over the last little while. That is the beauty of being two-nil up in the series, you can look to experiment if you want to do that or you can look to play the safe option,” he added.

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Also read : Brad Hogg slams India for not employing the short ball against Steve Smith