Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch has heaped praised on three youngsters, who he believes will be crucial to Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign.
Finch has pinpointed Cameron Green, Josh Philippe and Jhye Richardson as young players high on Australia’s radar, as the Aussies look to have better preparations than they did for the 2019 World Cup.
“We probably left it a little bit too late last time” said Finch. “So, we’re really determined to make sure we’re well planned this time and make sure we leave no stone unturned.”
With cricket coming to a halt amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Aaron Finch and the Australian management team see this as an opportunity to map out their strategies for the 2023 showpiece event, to be held in India.
“That’s what we’re going to work out over the next month or so,” said the ODI captain. “We’ll sit down and really drill into numbers and how we feel the game is going to head over the next couple of years and what we need to do as a team.
There’s obviously a lot of youngsters who have performed really well.”
Finch then went on to highlight three youngsters whom he feels will be key for Australia in 2023. Cameron Green, Josh Philippe and Jhye Richardson, all from Western Australia, are in Finch’s sights.
“Look at Cameron Green. Painey was talking about him last week and his rise and dominance he’s had in state cricket in the past 12 months in particular. He’s such a young guy and I think that potential is huge,” said the 33-year old.
“Then you’ve got young batters, Josh Philippe and these guys. I think what’s really important about them and Josh in particular is he dominated a Big Bash Final. I think it’s great when young players perform well in big games, it shows there’s a real something about them. As well as the natural flair and talent he’s got.
“But then you’ve got other guys who I can’t wait to see back up and fire. Jhye Richardson; he’s as exciting a young fast bowler as there is going around when he’s firing. Having his shoulder redone again I think will be a good thing for him in the long run. It probably doesn’t feel like it when he’s going through his rehab again.
“There’s guys like that who just bring the excitement factor to the game. You turn on the TV to watch guys take the game on, bowl fast and swing it.”
Also read: 7 young Australian cricketers to watch out for in the next decade

When Australia’s next ODI assignment will take place remains unclear. Zimbabwe’s visit, scheduled for August, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Australia could tour England in September; a series that Ashley Giles, managing director of the men’s cricket team, is “quietly confident” about.
If the series indeed goes ahead, there will be no tougher assignment for Australia to kickstart their 2023 plans than world champions England.
“There’s a lot of players we’ll talk about and go through and map out our plans for 2023,” said Finch.
Also, Finch said Australia will learn from the mistakes made leading up to the 2019 World Cup. Australia endured a terrible run of form in the two years leading into the tournament, winning just four of 26 matches at one stage.
“I think it’s tough if you just go in there and wing it,” he said.
“I think you have to do a lot of planning and preparation… into how you’re going to play, what the trend of the game is going to be for you to be successful in two-and-a-half years.
“It’s really important to have a clear structure and a blueprint that you can fall back on. And that helps a lot with how you pick your team.”
Also read:
- 7 young Australian cricketers to watch out for in the next decade
- Ashley Giles “quietly confident” that England-Australia series will go ahead in September
- Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI series postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic