Australia captain Aaron Finch has admitted that the team are yet to decide who amongst Usman Khawaja and David Warner will be his opening partner in the World Cup.
Australia, on April 15, announced their 15-man squad for the grand tournament – to be held in England and Wales – with the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner making their comeback from a year-long suspension. The latter’s inclusion means Australia will have three openers in their rank and the skipper has voiced his conundrum, saying that there isn’t a firm blueprint as of now.
"There's going to be plenty to think about over the next 6-8 weeks ... to try and find our best combination and the best way to structure up our side," Finch said after Australia named their 15-man squad on Monday (April 15).
"Davey's record at the top is unbelievable and Uzzie's been in great nick recently. Whichever way we go, there's scope to mix and match that as we go through the tournament. We'll work that out, there's nothing set in stone right now.
"I think all three of us could (bat at No.3). I've probably got the least experience out of all three of us in that position in limited-overs cricket. It's something we'll juggle and tinker with. I think a left-right combination is probably the way we'll go, it just depends on which left-hander (opens)," he added.
Khawaja, on his part, has been in blistering form of late, scalping 769 runs – which is most by an Australian this year - in his last 13 ODIs, also scoring two tons in the tenure. Warner, on the other hand, is hitting bowlers at every corner of the park in the ongoing Indian T20 League. In seven innings, Warner has smashed four half-centuries and a ton for his Hyderabad franchise.
Speaking of the order, Finch said that either Warner or Khawaja can be demoted to number three spot given that he has the least experience of it. "I probably have the least experience out of everyone in that position in limited overs cricket. So, like I said, it will be something that we will juggle, and we will tinker with. I think a left-hand, right-hand combination probably will be the way that we go – just depending on which left-hander. We will wait and see."
Finch was further quipped whether Steve Smith remains in Australia’s plans to which had a subtle reply, "All of that stuff is up for debate at the moment ... but I would say yes, that would be the short answer."
