Finch named Australia captain for T20I series against Sri Lanka

Melbourne, Jan 31 (IANS) Right-handed batsman Aaron Finch will captain Australia in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Sri Lanka in February.

Finch, 30, will take charge of three matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (February 17), Kardinia Park in Geelong (February 19) and the Adelaide Oval (February 22) after his appointment was recommended by Cricket Australia's (CA) National Selection Panel (NSP) and endorsed by CA's Board of Directors on Tuesday.

Finch has previously led Australia in six T20Is and was also in charge in Monday's One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Auckland.

The squad for the three-match T20I series will be announced on Wednesday.

With usual captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Wade absent for the T20I Series, preparing for a four-match Test series against India starting in February, Finch will get the chance to be in charge once more.

Commenting on his appointment, he said in a statement: "It's very exciting to be back and leading the side in Steve's absence. It's been a rollercoaster from being captain leading up to the ICC World Twenty20 (in 2016), being injured and then Steve taking over the reins for that tournament but it's something that, any time you get the chance to captain your country in any format, you're very chuffed about.

"We'll be missing some big names, some of the biggest in world cricket, but you can't dwell on that and it will be a fantastic opportunity for guys who've performed well in the KFC Big Bash League (KFC BBL) to push their case for further inclusion, and inclusion in the other formats too," hea dded.

"There are some extraordinary players around the country that will now get an opportunity and I think that's only a good thing for Australian cricket."

National Selector Trevor Hohns said: "In the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner amongst others, we believe Aaron is the logical choice to lead the side. He's done it before and he has a great deal of experience in the format as both a captain and a batsman.