Explosive Australian opener, Aaron Finch is aiming to nail down a spot in the national Test squad after earning his maiden Test call-up for the two-match Pakistan series next month.
The 31-year-old was one of five uncapped Test players named last week in the Australian side for the two-match Test series to be held in the United Arab Emirates with the first match starting from October 7.
Finch, who made his T20 International debut for Australia in 2011 before playing in the One Day International in 2013, never thought he was running out of time, but he realized that the Pakistan series has potentially opened the door for him to cement a spot for him in the Test side.
He is also contented with the fact that he finally got the opportunity to sport whites for his country which has been his number one goal and dream that he wants to live.
As per reports in Espncricinfo, Finch told reporters in Brisbane, “I thought this was probably the time when if it didn't happen now it was probably less likely to happen down the track. Without teams being selected yet, it'd mean a lot. You grow up in the backyard dreaming of playing Test cricket and getting a baggy green and it's closer now than it has been before.”
On his feeling when he got to know he was selected for Pakistan Tests, Finch explained, “It was a nice call to get, something I've always dreamed about and it's been my No. 1 goal, so to be a lot closer than I have been before is really nice. I think my heart rate went through the roof and it was something that I hoped was going to come and as the announcement kept getting pushed back and my phone hadn't rung I thought it was less and less likely, but to get the call eventually was really pleasing.”
He will look to adapt the free-flowing approach, which helped him to accumulate more than 3300 ODI runs with 11 centuries and nearly 1600 T20l runs at an average of 45.60, in Tests as well.
The aggressive batsman further added, “Being aggressive has made me reasonably successful in the two shorter formats. I suppose it depends on where they see me in the order if there is a spot in the (team). “(But) I think it’s about sticking to your natural game and to your strengths. And when you do that, you give yourself a high chance of success.”
The right-hander is also hoping to make the most of this golden opportunity with his natural game if get selected in the Playing XI against Pakistan in the UAE.
Finch signed off by saying, “Hopefully if I get an opportunity I can take it. This is my first test tour but I have been around for quite a while and I know the demands of international cricket. It’s tough. It’s a game where if you let your guard down for a second, someone will take your spot. You can’t leave anything to chance, you can’t leave one percent of preparation undone. (But) you grow up in the backyard dreaming of playing test cricket and getting a baggy green and it’s closer than it has (ever) been before.”
