England v Australia: Unlucky Finch desperate to shine on return to big stage

Australia's captain Steve Smith (left) with teammate Aaron Finch at The Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday September 7, 2015. See PA story CRICKET Australia. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only no moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.

The Australian, called up to the ODI squad after David Warner suffered a fractured thumb in Saturday’s win over England, has suffered plenty of injury problems of his own this year and is expected to open the batting in Manchester alongside Joe Burns.

“It’s going to be exciting,” said Finch, who has suffered with hamstring and foot injuries this year. “Being out of the game for a while through injuries gives you a lot of time to sit back and reflect on how lucky we are to play international cricket.

“When you don’t get that chance for a couple of games it really hits home.

“It’s not the greatest circumstances (to be called up due to Warner’s injury) but I can’t do much about that unfortunately.

“It’s been quite frustrating not to be able get a run of games in a row coming back from a hamstring. I felt I was getting back into some good form, then to break my foot was another setback. That was the first time in 10 years that I’ve really missed any cricket through injury so I’m just excited to be back.”

Finch hopes everyone can move on from the controversy surrounding Australia’s 64-run win at Lord’s at the weekend when Ben Stokes was given out for ‘obstructing the field’.

“It has divided a lot of opinions,” said Finch, who returns to an Australian team leading 2-0 in the five-match series.

“I mean if someone is throwing a ball at you your natural instinct would be to put your hand up and try and defend yourself, so Australia are within their rights to appeal but they don’t make the decisions.

“You can’t change it, it’s time to move on from it I think.”

England coach Trevor Bayliss, meanwhile, is looking forward to the return for England of Finch’s Yorkshire team-mate, Jonny Bairstow – called back into the ODI squad in place of the rested Jos Buttler.

“He’s been in form this year and deserves his opportunity,” said Bayliss. “We’re looking forward to see what he can do for us.

“We haven’t played to our potential in the series so far. Australia have played well also and that makes it difficult to play our own game.”

Teams – England (possible): EJG Morgan (Captain), JJ Roy, AD Hales, JWA Taylor, BA Stokes, JM Bairstow (wkt), MM Ali, AU Rashid, DJ Willey, LE Plunkett, ST Finn

Australia (possible): SPD Smith (Captain), JA Burns, AJ Finch, GJ Bailey, GJ Maxwell, MR Marsh, MS Wade (wkt), AC Agar, MA Starc, PJ Cummins, JL Pattinson.