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Aus Need To Win WC, Ashes For Warner, Finch, Paine To Remain In Team: Clarke

Aaron Finch and David Warner both failed to perform in the warm-up games as well as T20 World Cup opener against South Africa

Mumbai: Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes that coach Justin Langer, Aaron Finch and David Warner need to play and win for Australia in the T20 World Cup and Ashes, otherwise they will lose their place.

Clarke believes the veterans desperately need things to go their way in the T20 World Cup and Ashes. Underlining that, results matter the most, Clarke told Nine Today, “In regards to Lang and the players, you look at Aaron Finch, David Warner in the T20s, if we win, they hold their place; if we don’t, they’ll be under pressure.”

The veteran openers Aaron Finch and David Warner both failed to perform in the warm-up games as well, and could not get going in Australia’s T20 World Cup opener against South Africa. The Aussies need their openers to fire and ensure a good start so that their middle order does not come under pressure.

Clarke further said, “The Ashes are going to be the same, Tim Paine as captain, and a lot of these players, if we can win the series, Justin Langer as coach will keep his job. But if we don’t, that comes with the role. We’re so results-driven in everything we do that everyone respects that. I think Lang gets that as well.”

After Australia’s Test & an unforgettable T20 series loss against India, Langer’s spot has been under intense scrutiny. Cricket Australia are yet to decide on Langer’s future after his contract ends in mid-2022.

Clarke heaped praise on Langer’s coaching style, claiming he has high expectations from himself. However, the 40-year-old noted that Langer’s intense nature might not be liked by everyone. The former right-handed batter said in this regard:

“He’s copped it, JL. Lang’s a great man, I loved playing with him; he was batting coach and assistant coach when I was captain, and he did a great job. The one thing about Lang’s style is he’s tough.”

There’s a lot of expectation that he has on himself as a person, a player and now a coach, but he’s got that same expectation on his team. Some players don’t like that; some players really enjoy that, and that’s the balance in coaching a professional sporting team.”

Australia won against South Africa in their opening match at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 and will now face Sri Lanks on October 28 (Thursday) in Dubai.

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