Finch cleared after injury scare

Aaron Finch was dealt an injury scare at training on Friday when he was rapped on the glove by paceman Mitchell Starc, but a scan on the finger in question has cleared the Aussie skipper to take part in Sunday's Gillette ODI series opener against South Africa in Perth.

Facing Starc in the first over of centre-wicket practice at the WACA Ground, Finch was struck by a rearing delivery from the rapid left-armer.

The blow caused the Victorian to immediately toss his bat, remove his glove and inspect his damaged right index finger.

It looked at one point as though Finch was going to resume batting but following a brief discussion with the team doctor and physiotherapist, he walked off the field.

Around 15 minutes later, Finch was seen exiting the home side's dressing room with this finger in a cup of ice accompanied by the team doctor, Richard Saw.

Finch subsequently went for a scan and was cleared of any issues, leaving him fit to return to the fold later in the session, during which he received a warm hug from a very relieved coach Justin Langer.

“It’s all good, it was just a precautionary x-ray,” Finch told cricket.com.au.

“I got hit on it yesterday and then again today and it swelled up. It was quite painful there for a little bit.

“Anytime you get hit by a big quick it hurts, but I think the doctor was a bit more concerned than I was.”

Sunday's series opener against the Proteas is set to be Finch's first game as full-time ODI skipper.

Australia's most experienced current ODI player, Finch has replaced Tim Paine as one-day skipper, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and wicketkeeper Alex Carey the country's 50-over vice-captains.

While the deputy has often stepped up to lead in the absence of the captain, one of the 42 recommendations to be considered by Cricket Australia following this week's culture review was that the role of the vice-captain be 'de-coupled' from that of 'heir apparent' for the captaincy.

Interestingly, when the team resumed after a drinks break with Finch out of action, Langer made Travis Head the captain while Carey was padded up ready to bat and Hazlewood was fresh from completing a batting net session.

The blow to Finch at least contained one silver lining in that it meant Starc appears to be bowling at top pace and off his long run.

The left-arm quick has been battling a hamstring complaint but showed no sign of discomfort at the WACA today. 

Australia v Proteas, Gillette ODI series, November 2018

First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4

Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9

Third ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.