Australian opener Aaron Finch to miss first ODI against India

Australia’s star opener Aaron Finch is looking doubtful for the first ODI encounter against India. The Victorian suffered the injury six weeks ago while playing for Surrey in England. He was rested from Australia’s squad for the warm-up match against Board President’s XI on Tuesday after his injured calf pulled up sore at training in Chennai.

Finch aggravated his right calf Australia’s warm-up game at Chepauk Stadium earlier today. He was seen walking off the field and he pulled out of the rest of the session to ice the muscle. Having trained earlier this week, the 30-year-old was expected to play the series opener, but his absence from training today puts him in doubt for Sunday’s clash.

Thus, in Finch’s absence, Travis Head or Hilton Cartwright is ready to get the call to play the 1st ODI against India. Uncapped all-rounder Cartwright opened in the right-hander’s absence in the warm-up game. However, he was dismissed for a second-ball duck in Australia’s 103-run win.

Travis Head earmarked as Finch’s replacement

David Saker, Australia’s stand in coach in place of Darren Lehman for the India tour, confirmed earlier this week that Head has been earmarked to fill the vacancy at the No.4 spot. However, Cartwright can still have his hopes high as he may be used as a stop-gap opener until the Victorian is fit again. Thus he can earn his maiden national cap and give the selectors a performance to talk about.

Speaking about Travis Head, Saker said, “Hopefully he’s the one that can do it. He just seems to keep getting better every time he plays for Australia, so that’s a real positive. His training ethic is as good as you’d get so it’s a good reward for him.”

Head, one of four Australians to score a half-century in the tour game, averages more than 40 with the bat since making his debut in June last year.