Aussie opener declares himself a certain starter for 3rd Test

Aussie opening batsman Aaron Finch has declared himself a certain starter for the third Test against India at Melbourne. The opening batsman’s availability was in question after he was being hit on his right-hand index finger by Mohammad Shami during the second Test.

The finger is improved 100 percent over the last couple of days: Finch

The right-hand batsman was asked about his participation in the Melbourne Test to which he replied that with a Boxing Day Test, being from Victoria, the finger is going to have to be cut off to not play.

He noted that it is going to be a catch and bat today and reassess, but he feels like it is improved 100 percent over the last couple of days.

The Aussie cricketer explained that he got sent some new bats, so he has been walking around the lounge room and waving them around and it feels OK.

Plan to field at slips: Finch 

At the same time, the opening batsman made it clear that if anything changes in the next couple of days, they will have to sit down and chat about that but, at this stage, he feels it is still business as usual and he plans to field at slip and do whatever else is needed.

Need to start catching them with bat instead of gloves: Finch

When asked about the pain he suffered after getting hit by Shami on the finger, Finch recalled that it was a bit of a shock and just the initial pain was the thing that got him.

He pointed out that being hit a few times in the last month, a couple of times by Starcy at training then obviously Shami.

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He added that it is also an old break. He recalled that he broke the same finger in Sri Lanka a couple of years ago and he feels he just got to start catching them and using his bat instead of his gloves.