Bailey backs Finch amid batting slump

Australia's white-ball captain Aaron Finch says footwork patterns have been his demise amid a recent form slump, but he's been backed to turn it around by the chair of selectors George Bailey.

Finch has played 10 ODIs in 2022 and scored 159 runs at an average of only 15.9, while his strike-rate (73.95) is also the lowest it's ever been during his career. 

Finch will lead Australia's T20 squad in defence of their World Cup on home soil later this year before the ODI equivalent is played in India in 2023.

"Finchy's record over his entire career is a pretty incredible one," Bailey told reporters in Townsville on Thursday.

"He's the leader of the team and I think you'd be a very brave person to write him off.

"Very excited for him to lead his team in a home World Cup which is pretty special."

In their opening matches of the Dettol ODI Series in Townsville, Finch registered 16 runs across two innings against Zimbabwe.

The 35-year-old says front-foot patterns to begin his time at the crease has hindered his batting.

"When I get a bit heavy there it starts to affect the rest of my game," Finch noted.

"I feel as though that's coming along really well. The rewards will be there very soon, just hasn't happened just yet.

"I know that I've got the full support of the players and the coaching and selection staff so I'm working hard on my game. It just hasn't quite flowed yet.

"It just comes down to giving yourself a bit of time and hopefully getting a big one shortly."

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

First ODI: Australia won by five wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by eight wickets

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (c), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

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