I'm really thrilled for Aaron Finch, says Justin Langer

Finch is part of Australia's Test squad for the series against Pakistan in UAE.

Langer is very happy for Finch. | Getty

Having seen him being picked in the Test squad for the series against Pakistan in UAE, Justin Langer, Australia head coach, has said that he is "really thrilled for Aaron Finch", as the right-hand batsman finds a spot in the national red-ball side for the very first time. 

Finch, who has played 93 ODIs and 42 T20Is at the highest level, has not only been a prolific run-getter in the domestic first-class scene but is also considered one of the better players of spin in the country down under. 

This is where the National Selection Committee felt that Finch, 32, could still be a very important player against the spin challenge that Pakistan are highly likely to present the visitors with. 

"I'm really thrilled for Aaron Finch," Langer was quoted saying, "Albeit in white-ball cricket, he's probably as in-form a player as there is in the world at the moment. What I love about Aaron Finch is he scores hundreds. In Test cricket that's very important. He's also in career-best shape."

"I know he's waited a long time for it. Hopefully, like a Mike Hussey, or a Brad Hodge, or a George Bailey or a Chris Rogers, he can have an impact on Test cricket as well as white-ball cricket," he added. 

Langer also talked about the other pleasantly surprising but tactically sound selection of Peter Siddle, who has played 62 Tests with 211 wickets and has been in some outstanding form for Essex in the ongoing County Championship season. 

He said, "He's in career-best form, in the sense he's taking a lot of wickets for Essex, He was excellent for Victorian and the Strikers at the end of last year." and added, "He is an awesome Australian and he will be brilliant for our young bowling group."

The first of two Tests begins in Dubai on October 7 before the second starts on October 16 in Abu Dhabi. 

Squad:- Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.

(Inputs from The West Australian)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 11 Sep, 2018

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