Batsman Aaron Finch will likely be retained at the top of the order for Australia’s fourth and final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week.

Finch managed a mere 97 runs in the first three Tests. Fellow opener Marcus Harris, meanwhile, has struck 177 in six innings.

‘It is something we’re talking about, obviously. He’s having a bit of a lean run of it. Finch is a really good player, we know that, he’s great in the team, he’s working harder probably than he’s ever worked, and as I’ve said to him for some time, he’s in this uncharted territory where he’s the only guy playing all three forms of the game,’ said coach Justin Langer.

The hard-hitting Finch welcomed T20I and ODI debuts in 2011 and 2013 respectively, but had to wait until October 2018 for a maiden Test match – and is currently navigating a busy workload across all three formats.

‘We saw David Warner do it for a while and Steven Smith do it for a while, and he’s a great example of how to prepare now. He’s got to somehow recharge his batteries over and over and over again. It’s a great challenge for him at the moment. He’ll be better for this period, I think. Test cricket is about toughness and character and he’ll be better for this period,’ added Langer.

‘There’s some physical tiredness, but just the mental drain of Test cricket, honestly it’s relentless. And then with these guys, one of the hardest things about Test cricket is one of the distractions, so they’re learning on the run actually.’

India boast a two-one series lead. The final Test will get under way on Thursday.

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