'That is a definite goal of mine' - Aaron Finch opens up on playing the 2023 World Cup

It is amazing how things can turn around within the space of 12 months. The last time Australian captain Aaron Finch arrived in India, he was at its absolute nadir as far as his batting was concerned. His technique had been brutally exposed by the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah in the home summer leading into the tour.

Following a winless Australian summer where they lost ODI and T20I series to South Africa and the succeeding 3-match 50-over series to India, the pressure was on Finch to lead from the did. And, the Australian captain did just that during the tour of India.

Finch, not only discovered his form with a 93 in the series decider but also led his troops with aplomb to script an incredible 0-2 reversal to 3-2. Since then, Finch has preceded over a 5-0 whitewash of Pakistan in the UAE which was followed by a semi-final finish in the World Cup and back-to-back T20I series wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka at home.

12 months later, Finch has come a full circle the Australian captain has now laid down a new goal for himself which is to play in the 2023 World Cup in India. Finch will be 37 by the time 2023 rolls around but the opener is optimistic about his chances of making it to the quadrennial event.

“I’d love to be, no doubt. At 33 now, I think my game is in as good a place as it’s ever been. That’s (playing 2023 World Cup) a definite goal of mine. That will come down to form and fitness; the desire won’t be any less than it is. I know it’s a cliche, taking it one tour at a time, but that’s 100 per cent a goal of mine down the track,” Finch was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

The fire to play Test cricket is still burning inside Aaron Finch

While playing for Australia in the 2023 World Cup remains a goal for Finch, regaining the coveted Baggy Green cap still remains the ultimate dream for the discarded Test opener.

After having a good start to his Test career in the UAE, Finch’s technique was found out in the Test series against Australia and the right-hander was discarded from the set-up following Australia’s defeat in the 2018 Boxing Day Test to the Men in Blue.

“It might be more of a dream now than a reality. I still have ambitions of trying to work my way back in there (Tests), but the tough part is trying to get enough four-day cricket to push your case. I missed one game with the Vics (Victoris) through injury, one game was called off, missed one with the T20 series.

“Some of the young kids coming through, they’re so bloody good. I’d love to play. I suppose the next tour of Bangladesh, that’s probably, who knows, that would be up in the air. It’s still my No. 1 goal to try and get back into the Test side,” he added.

The three-match ODI series between India and Australia will commence from Tuesday, January 14th, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

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