Australian veteran batsman and captain Aaron Finch has announced his retirement from the ODI format. The last match of the three-match series against New Zealand was the last match of his ODI career. In such a situation, as much as it is difficult to find his replacement as an opener, it will be more difficult to choose the captain of the team after his retirement.
The Australian team has been struggling in terms of captaincy for quite some time now. In such a situation, the retirement of the current captain of the ODI team, Aaron Finch, from this format can prove to be a big setback for the team management just before the World Cup that is set to take place next year.
With that in mind, we take a look at 3 players who could step-up and be the next Australia team captain in the ODI format.
Glenn Maxwell
The team’s leading all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is one of the best players in the current Australian team. Maxwell, who has taken more than 3000 runs and more than 50 wickets in ODIs, has a lot of experience in this format. Although Maxwell has never captained Australia in any format so far, he is seen leading the Melbourne Stars team in Australia’s domestic T20 cricket league Big Bash League (BBL).
Apart from this, he has also captained Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) in IPL. Maxwell is a regular member of the national team and has a wealth of experience. In such a situation, he can be an option for the ODI captaincy role.
Pat Cummins
After the retirement of Aaron Finch, there will also be an option of Test captain Pat Cummins taking the mantle in the ODI format as well as the Aussie pacer has led the team very well. He has captained Australia in nine Tests so far, winning five matches and losing just one match.
Along with this, Cummins’ performance with the ball has also been very good. Hardly anyone would object to him being chosen as the captain and is also the very likely option unless they decide to keep different captain for limited overs cricket and Test cricket.
David Warner
Aaron Finch’s fellow opening partner David Warner is also a great option and a good-natured player like him. Warner has captained Australia in three ODIs and has won all three matches as the leader. Apart from this, Warner made Sunrisers Hyderabad the champions in the IPL in 2016 while leading the team.
His experience not only as a player, but also as a captain is much better than the rest of the team. In such a situation, after the retirement of Aaron Finch, the team management can choose David Warner as the next captain in this format.
