Aaron Finch announced himself fit for Boxing Day Test match

Injury-stricken Aaron Finch has declared himself fit and confirmed his availability for the third Test match between India and Australia which begins on 26 December at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Aussie opener while batting on the deteriorating Perth pitch on Day 3 copped a brutal hit on his index finger.

It was a rising delivery from Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, injuring the finger severely and forcing him to retire hurt. This was the same finger that Finch copped a blow on twice during the nets and there were initial concerns that he might have broken it. However, scans later cleared the opener to resume batting.

The 32-year-old lasted just one ball knicking it behind the stumps after resuming his innings on Day 4 and didn’t take the field at all during India’s unsuccessful chase in the fourth innings of the Perth Test match. However, the fact that Australia named an unchanged squad for the final two Tests suggests that the right-hander’s magical healing powers have him ready to play in the Boxing Day Test match.

Hit on it three times in a month

“It’s a finger that I’ve broken before in Sri Lanka a few years ago. To have it hit three times pretty solid in a month, it just keeps blowing up. But it’ll be no problem for the game,” the Victorian told reporters.

After the spicy Perth surface, the batsmen are expected to enjoy their time in Melbourne, but Finch still expected some amount of grass on the surface and the ball to seam around early. The respective pace attacks are unlikely to receive anywhere near as much assistance at the MCG, where two of the past four Tests have ended in a draw.

The MCG pitch termed as “poor” by ICC has witnessed five centuries in last three Sheffield Shield matches. The venue for the third Test MCG has of late come under scrutiny after recent drab draws blowing off the excitement of the Test cricket.

“I assume there’ll be a little bit more grass on it,” Finch said. “I haven’t played a Shield game there but the boys said there has been a little bit more grass on it and it’s seamed around a little bit but it’s still been on the slower side.” he further added.

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