Finch to captain Australia for Sri Lanka T20s

Sydney: Opening batsman Aaron Finch will lead the Australian Twenty20 team in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka with captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner resting ahead of the tour of India.

Finch, who was stand-in captain in Monday's one-day international against New Zealand, will take the helm for three matches in February, Cricket Australia announced Tuesday.

"It's very exciting to be back and leading the side in Steve's absence," said Finch, who has captained the national Twenty20 side on six previous occasions.

Finch captained the Melbourne Renegades in Australia's domestic Twenty20 Big Bash competition and believes selectors will be spoilt for depth in the absence of some of Australia's leading playmakers.

Smith and Warner have been left out of the Twenty20 squad as they prepare for the four-test tour of India which begins on February 23.

Former opening batsman Justin Langer will step in as acting head coach for Darren Lehman for the Sri Lanka Twenty20 series which kicks off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 17.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Related links

Sri Lanka tour of Australia 2017 News

Zampa spins Australia to consolation win [+]

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa claimed three wickets to bowl Australia to victory and avoid a Twenty20 series wipeout against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka looks to 3-0 Cleansweep [+]

Host desperate to avoid whitewash while Sri Lanka looks to sign off with a flourish.

Gunaratne gets SL home in Last-ball win [+]

Gunaratne unbeaten career best 84 helps Sri Lanka clinched another last-ball thriller to seal the three-match series 2-0.

Confident Sri Lanka seeks series win [+]

Depleted hosts look to level series while visiting side has a chance to record hat-trick of T20I series win in Australia at Geelong opener.

Sri Lanka prevail in last ball thriller [+]

Kapugedera smashed a four off the last ball to give Sri Lanka a thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia in their first T20I at the MCG on Friday.

Klinger set to make T20I debut at MCG [+]

Veteran Western Australian batsman Michael Klinger will be making his debut against Sri Lanka at the MCG on Friday.

Malinga recalled for Australia T20 Series [+]

Sri Lanka pace spearhead Lasith Malinga, who has recovered fully from knee injury he suffered last month, has been recalled in the 15-man T20 squad.

Four New faces in Australia T20 squad [+]

Chris Lynn was named Wednesday in Australian squad for their Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka. with four uncapped players also included.

Finch to captain for Sri Lanka T20s [+]

Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner resting ahead of the tour of India.

Geelong Set to Gost T20 International [+]

Australia to take on Sri Lanka as CA announces T20 fixtures for 2016-17 summer.