Inglis, David earn high praise as Bailey backs Finch

Selection chief George Bailey says the impressive international debut of Josh Inglis made it feel like Australia's T20 side had "the flexibility of two Glenn Maxwells" in its middle order, while million-dollar man Tim David is firmly on the national radar ahead of this year's T20 World Cup.

Bailey has also backed out-of-form skipper Aaron Finch to return to his best, saying the captain is still being troubled by a knee injury that required surgery last year and that he will benefit from a return to 50-over cricket in Pakistan next month.

Having had a reasonably settled line-up during their T20 World Cup win last year, Australia have a raft of options to choose from for their title defence, with the likes of Inglis, Ashton Agar and Daniel Sams all impressing in the recent series against Sri Lanka, while David is in high demand in franchise leagues around the world.

The rise of a new breed has put pressure on established stars like Finch, Steve Smith and even Mitchell Starc; since the start of July, neither Smith nor Finch have averaged more than 20 in T20Is, while Starc's economy rate in 15 matches in that time is almost nine runs an over.

Finch averaged 15.60 at a strike rate of 92 in five games against Sri Lanka, leading the likes of Mark Waugh and Ian Healy to question the 35-year-old's place in the side.

It's a familiar theme for Finch; twelve months ago this week, Bailey publicly endorsed the Victorian to captain Australia at the World Cup following a similarly lean run of form.

On Tuesday, Bailey again threw his support behind the skipper, and said the knee injury that Finch has been carrying since rushing back from surgery ahead of last year's World Cup remains an issue.

"No, I don't," Bailey said when asked if he had any doubt that Finch is the right man to lead Australia to the World Cup.

"I'm sure that Finchy would have liked a few more runs in the series just gone, there's no doubt about that. But also putting it into context, he's still battling that knee injury a little bit. So what Finchy will have in between the end of that series (against Sri Lanka) and coming away on this tour (to Pakistan) will be a chance to continue working on that.

"In T20 cricket, you can play a lot without actually getting a lot of time in the middle. So I'm really excited that Finchy will get some one-day cricket in the near future, and that ability to spend a longer time at the crease will really benefit him as well."

Finch and David Warner, who will miss the white-ball leg of the Pakistan tour, are expected to open at the T20 World Cup this year, but the identity of Australia's middle-order remains clouded.

Australia have been rewarded for their faith in Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade in the No.6 and No.7 positions, while Mitchell Marsh (who missed the SL series) and Glenn Maxwell (who will miss the Pakistan tour) are also locks in the batting order.

But there is less certainty around Smith's position in the side given the impressive form of Inglis and rapid rise of David.

While David has thrived mostly in the No.6 position currently occupied by Stoinis, he's also impressed at No.5 in the current Pakistan Super League and was recently bought for A$1.53 million at the IPL auction.

David was not picked for the Pakistan tour given there is only a single T20 match scheduled, but Bailey indicated a debut for Australia won't be far away.

"We've been in lots of contact with Timmy," he said. "I'm thrilled for him and the opportunity he's going to get in the IPL.

"I've enjoyed seeing him get a bit of a role slightly beyond that (No.6 position) in the PSL at the moment.

"If he continues playing the way he is, there's no doubt that with the skills that he has, he will be on our radar."

Bailey was also excited by the form of Inglis, who was Australia's leading run-scorer against Sri Lanka at a strike rate of 143, batting at both No.3 and No.5 in the order.

"I loved it," Bailey said of the Western Australian's debut series. "I was very excited and had been excited to see it for some time.

"The highlight for me was how quickly he settled into playing his own game.

"In many ways, it felt like we ended up having the flexibility of two Glenn Maxwells through the middle. I love the fact that he was able to adapt the role at different times, batting at three and then slipping down to five.

"That showed a good ability to adapt, which is a great skillset at that level."