Test opener Finch content with Shield snub

Aaron Finch says time in the middle during his only Sheffield Shield tune-up for the first Test will matter more than the fact he's not opening for Victoria.

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch is looking forward to a Sheffield Shield outing for Victoria before the India series. (AAP)

Aaron Finch is content he won't open the batting for Victoria a week before shouldering that responsibility for Australia, insisting it won't affect his preparation for the four-Test series against India.

National coach Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine are backing Finch to open on December 6, when the first Test starts in Adelaide.

But Victoria coach Andrew McDonald believes Finch's best fit in red-ball cricket is the middle order.

McDonald is expected to stick with the opening partnership of Marcus Harris and Travis Dean when Victoria's Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland starts at the Gabba on Tuesday.

Finch, the only member of the 14-man Test squad yet to feature in the current Shield season apart from injured batsman Usman Khawaja, isn't stroppy about the snub.

"We've had a very settled opening combination, Harris and Dean, for a couple of years now and won three out of the last four Shields. Tough to argue with," Finch told reporters in Sydney.

"They've played really well together. It's important we respect that. I don't think I'll open.

"I've played in the middle order for Victoria for most of my career, so I don't see it as being too confusing or conflicting."

Finch is yet to speak with McDonald or Victoria captain Peter Handscomb about Victoria's order, noting he is fully focused on Australia's Twenty20 series finale against India.

It's likely the 32-year-old will be slotted into the top order, rather than batting at No.6 as he has done in the past.

Cricket Australia and Langer, keen to give states autonomy and respect the Shield as a competition, have given no directive to McDonald despite the obvious implication for the Test side.

Finch has no interest in pitching his case to bat alongside fellow opener Harris, who he is likely to open with at Adelaide Oval.

"JL's theory is that it's up to the states to align their teams with how they best see them winning," Finch said.

"It's up to the captain to make that call.

"Whatever Peter and Ron decide I'll be comfortable with.

"Runs in any position count a lot more than if you miss out on opening the batting."

Finch, having scored 96 runs from his past 10 innings for Australia and been denied a first-class hit in recent weeks, admits he is desperate for some time in the middle.

But Australia's white-ball captain is adamant recent Twenty20 performances won't affect his Test output.

"It's not ideal, don't get me wrong, but at the end of the day it's the opposite format," Finch said.

"It's totally different.

"I've still been working very hard on my technique and doing a lot of work with (batting coach) Graeme Hick."


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Source: AAP



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