Finch backs 'ultra damaging' former teammate for Australia debut

World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch says an understanding of when to shift through the gears has been a catalyst for former teammate Sam Harper's remarkable resurgence, putting the Melbourne Stars wicketkeeper-batter on the cusp of an international debut.

Harper's rise with the bat in the past two summers has been immense, going from out of Victoria's Sheffield Shield side at the end of the 2024-25 season to Test and T20I squad call-ups 18 months later.

Australia will blood a new wicketkeeper next Saturday, with first-choice gloveman Josh Inglis to miss the upcoming five-game T20 series against England to prepare for the Test summer.

Harper, named Player of the Tournament for BBL|15 last summer, and emerging New South Wales product Lachlan Shaw are the two 'keepers in the hosts' squad.

The MCG will host the first T20I and Harper will be dreaming of a hometown international debut, just like his former Victoria and Melbourne Renegades teammate Finch, who played his maiden ODI at the venue against Sri Lanka in 2013.

"(Harper's rise has) gone in patches, hasn't it? He almost wasn't getting a game for the Renegades because of inconsistent performances and probably not making the most of starts," Finch said.

"And now the last two years in (Sheffield) Shield cricket and T20 cricket, one-day cricket as well, his ability to transfer good starts into match-winning scores has been super.

"I think the difference that's changed is just his approach slightly in the way that he constructs his innings. He's still ultra damaging at the start and that brings high risk, high reward.

"But then once you get past that, it's not about just putting the foot down and continuing to keep going. There are different gears that you can go through, even in a T20 game where you feel as though time's running out and you've got to keep exploding.

"It's been more of a mindset shift for Sammy more than anything, and just managing his way through an innings has led to great success."

Finch believes Harper may not be the only player in Australia's T20 squad to face England who is close to breaking into the Test set-up.

Xavier Bartlett led an impressive new-look Aussie pace attack in the first ODI, with his 1-46 from 10 overs, as Mahli Beardman's record-breaking 6-24 and Spencer Johnson's 3-42 dismantled England for 131 in Perth.

Bartlett has taken 16 wickets in his two Sheffield Shield games this season and Finch said his ability to swing the ball – one of Mitchell Starc's greatest strengths – would be a major weapon at the next level.

"I think (Bartlett's) a seriously skilful bowler," Finch said. "I always thought that he was more suited to the red ball when he was coming through the grades.

"The one thing that's changed in the past probably six months for Xavier is just the pace has gone up slightly. His stock ball pace has gone from that low-130s (kph) to the mid- to high-130s.

"Moving the ball is crucial; it is such a skill that you need at the top. You look at Mitchell Starc's record over the years and how destructive he is when he gets a new ball in his hand.

"I think Bartlett could be a similar bowler in that regard because he can swing the ball both ways. I wouldn't be surprised if he's one of those guys in the close running as a backup at this stage for Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Starc and (Pat) Cummins."

While Australian crowds are yet to see England white-ball skipper Harry Brook in full flight, after he was caught behind off Beardman for one in Friday's first ODI and only passed 50 twice in last summer's Ashes, Finch believes the one-day format is where he's at his most dangerous.

"He's a phenomenal player," Finch said. "I love watching him play. His ability to take games away from opposition in such a short time is extraordinary.

"One-day cricket is probably his format where he can be the most explosive. In T20, there are a lot of players that can hit from ball one, but he has an ability to change gears so quickly, depending on the stage of the game.

"He's the one type of player in world cricket that keeps opposition captains up at night because you know that you have to get him out early, because if he bats for any period of time, he's so destructive."

Australia hold a 1-0 lead in the ODI series with the final two matches to be played in Adelaide (Sunday) and Hobart (Wednesday) before the T20 leg gets underway at the MCG next Saturday night.

Australia v England ODI & T20I Series 2026

First ODI: Australia won by seven wickets

Second ODI: November 15, Adelaide Oval, 2:30pm AEDT (D/N)

Third ODI: November 18, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 2:30pm AEDT (D/N)

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa

England squad: Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root

First T20I: November 21, MCG, 7:15pm AEDT

Second T20I: November 24, Gold Coast Stadium, 7:15pm AEDT

Third T20I: November 27, The Gabba, 7:15pm AEDT

Fourth T20I: November 29, SCG, 7:15pm AEDT

Fifth T20I: December 2, Manuka Oval, 7:15pm AEDT

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Spencer Johnson, Mitch Owen, Lachlan Shaw, Adam Zampa

England squad: Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Aneurin Donald, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Thomas Rew, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.