Aaron Finch flags massive change to Australian batting order

Aaron Finch is willing to demote himself down the order if it’ll help Australia’s World Cup defence.

Finch has opened in 98 of his 100 ODI innings, including a successful partnership with David Warner at the top of the order at the 2015 World Cup.

Finch and Usman Khawaja are expected to open throughout the five-match series against Pakistan that starts in Sharjah on Friday, having recently produced stands of zero, three, 76, 83 and 193 in India.

Australia’s opening combination for this year’s tournament in England is far more uncertain.

The outstanding form of Khawaja, who outscored Virat Kohli during a recent record-breaking series in India, and Warner’s looming return have complicated the situation.

The most likely outcome is Khawaja will bat at first drop but Finch, having batted twice at No.5 during last year’s ODI series in England, has vowed to do whatever is best for the team.

“If that means me batting at six, I’ll comfortably do that. If it’s at the top, three or four – it doesn’t matter,” Finch said.

“Personal results aren’t what this side is about. I think that’s what has made our improvement as dramatic and quick as it has been.

“If you go in just solely focused on scoring a hundred or thinking ‘if I bat five I’m not got to get a hundred, I don’t get enough opportunity’, that’s not what is best.”

The skipper floated Shuan Marsh as another candidate to open during the World Cup.

Finch ended a worrying slump with a knock of 93 in Ranchi but scored a combined 64 runs in the other four ODIs against India.

Conjecture about his place in the team continues to rumble amid the selection squeeze created by Warner and Steve Smith. However, it’s understood Finch has been effectively locked in to captain at the World Cup.

“I still feel really good with my game … my rhythm is there,” Finch said.

“There’s probably been some times where you start doubting your technique … for me it’s about going back to what’s worked for me in the past.”

Finch urged his team to extend the momentum they generated from a landmark series win in India, where Australia showcased their World Cup credentials.

“Some people would have taken a bit more notice (of Australia) over the last couple of weeks,” he said.