'That's all been put to bed': Finch sees no reason why Steve Smith, Warner can't get Australia's ODI captaincy

Australian ODI skipper Aaron Finch, who is retiring from ODIs after Sunday’s (September 11) game against New Zealand, sees no reason why Steve Smith or David Warner can’t replace him as the team’s ODI captain. Both the players have led Australia in the past, but since their involvement in the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018, they have been barred.
Steve Smith David Warner

Aaron Finch sees no reason why Steve Smith, David Warner can’t replace him as Australia's ODI captain.

Photo : ANI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Aaron Finch sees no problem with Steve Smith or David Warner getting the captaincy.
  • Finch is retiring from ODIs on Sunday, and post his exit, Australia will have to find a new ODI captain.
  • Warner and Smith have led the Australian cricket team in the past, but things have changed since the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal.
Following the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018, star Australian batters Steve Smith and David Warner were barred from leadership roles. Smith was the captain of the team at that time, and Warner was his deputy. Both the players were handed one-year suspensions from the game for their involvement, and in addition to that, Smith wasn’t allowed to lead the side for two years, but Warner was banned from captaincy for life.
But things have changed a lot since then. Both the players made superb comebacks and earned their place back in the team by establishing themselves as top batters across all formats again. Their performances with the bat have made sure that they are the first names on the team sheet. They are a vital cog in the team’s unit and that’s why Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch, who will retire from the 50-over format after Sunday’s match against New Zealand, said that there should be no excuse for Smith or Warner to not succeed him as the team's ODI captain now that the wounds from Sandpapergate have long since healed.
"I don't think (it would be an issue). He (Smith) captained a Test match in Adelaide after Pat (Cummins) was out with Covid. So, I think that's all been put to bed," Finch said on Triple M.
And as for his long-time opening partner, David Warner, Finch said that he would be a wise choice and he wants his lifetime captaincy ban overturned.
"He (Warner) is someone I have played under a few times for Australia when he has had the opportunity to captain. He has been fantastic. He is an unbelievable tactical captain and someone at the time the lads loved playing under. Would I like to see (his ban) overturned? Yeah, absolutely. What he can offer, not just now as a player but going forward for him to be able to coach and help the next generation of players coming through is so important. You do your time, and he has well and truly done that," Finch added.
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