MELBOURNE: Australia have experienced T20 players ready to slot in ‘seamlessly’ in place of captain Aaron Finch if needed for World Cup playmaker Josh Hazlewood said Wednesday.
Under pressure and out of shape with the bat, Finch’s place in the squad is under scrutiny ahead of Australia’s World Cup title defense on home soil.
His teammates and coach George Bailey backed Finch to pull himself out of his form slump and lead the team to the World Tournament, but Hazel stopped short of describing the captaincy of the opener as essential.
When asked how difficult it would be for Australia to have a new captain for the World Cup, Hazlewood said the team had senior players ready to step in.
“Right now all the teams really feel like they’re pretty senior and there’s a lot of guys who sort of take the lead on themselves when they’re in the middle doing what they chose,” he told reporters at the Sydney cricket ground Wednesday.
“There is a lot of experience in the middle and I think it would be quite easy for the next captain to come in and make a smooth transition.”
Australia are already in the hunt for a new ODI captain, with Finch playing his last game in the format against New Zealand at the weekend.
fast launcher pat cummins has led the Test team since wicketkeeper Tim Paine stepped down last year, but Hazlewood said Australia may want to look outside the rapids for a new white ball captain.
“With the rapids, we’ll probably rest (from) the white ball here and there, so it’s not like, I guess, Patty with the test matches playing every game,” Hazlewood said.
“This could create a permanent reshuffle of the captaincy and the vice-captaincy.
“You probably want someone in there who is stable and plays every game. That makes it a lot easier, I think.”
While Cummins is favored to succeed Finch, Test vice-captain Steve Smith is also seen as a strong candidate.
David Warner is also hoping to be considered for managerial positions, although he remains banned by Cricket Australia for his role in the Newlands ball tampering scandal.
Under pressure and out of shape with the bat, Finch’s place in the squad is under scrutiny ahead of Australia’s World Cup title defense on home soil.
His teammates and coach George Bailey backed Finch to pull himself out of his form slump and lead the team to the World Tournament, but Hazel stopped short of describing the captaincy of the opener as essential.
When asked how difficult it would be for Australia to have a new captain for the World Cup, Hazlewood said the team had senior players ready to step in.
“Right now all the teams really feel like they’re pretty senior and there’s a lot of guys who sort of take the lead on themselves when they’re in the middle doing what they chose,” he told reporters at the Sydney cricket ground Wednesday.
“There is a lot of experience in the middle and I think it would be quite easy for the next captain to come in and make a smooth transition.”
Australia are already in the hunt for a new ODI captain, with Finch playing his last game in the format against New Zealand at the weekend.
fast launcher pat cummins has led the Test team since wicketkeeper Tim Paine stepped down last year, but Hazlewood said Australia may want to look outside the rapids for a new white ball captain.
“With the rapids, we’ll probably rest (from) the white ball here and there, so it’s not like, I guess, Patty with the test matches playing every game,” Hazlewood said.
“This could create a permanent reshuffle of the captaincy and the vice-captaincy.
“You probably want someone in there who is stable and plays every game. That makes it a lot easier, I think.”
While Cummins is favored to succeed Finch, Test vice-captain Steve Smith is also seen as a strong candidate.
David Warner is also hoping to be considered for managerial positions, although he remains banned by Cricket Australia for his role in the Newlands ball tampering scandal.