Taylor sees Finch crucial for Cup tilt

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor has no doubt that Aaron Finch is the right man to lead the country at the World Cup this year.

Finch's white ball form has fluctuated wildly since he took over as one-day skipper, with the 32-year-old managing just one score in excess of 14 during six ODI matches over the Australian summer.

But Finch made a welcome return to form against India in Ranchi on Friday when he scored a superb 93 and Taylor believes it is imperative he is retained as one-day captain for Australia's World Cup campaign in England and Wales later this year.

"I have been worried about his form, but I think he is a wonderful captain who does an excellent job," Taylor said on Wide World of Sports on Sunday.

"He is running into India every game at the moment. He has played one-dayers, Test matches and now more one-dayers and they are bowling very well to him.

"He knows the game very well. I like his field settings, his bowling changes, generally he is very aggressive.

"He has got 11 one day hundreds from 102 games so his record is very good.”

Taylor provided his best XI for the 50-over showcase that will be held in June and July, which included David Warner opening alongside Finch and fellow suspended batsman Steve Smith coming in at number three.

Warner and Smith will have their year long bans lifted at the end of this month and the duo are expected to return via the IPL in India.

Both players are expected to be named in Australia's 15-player squad for the World Cup and Taylor thinks it will be important to have Finch's experience alongside the duo when they make their return to the national side.

"The Warner-Smith factor will be real in England. Big time real," Taylor said.

"You want a senior player who is going to work well with them, but also be his own man. And that is Aaron Finch."

Taylor couldn't find room for Usman Khawaja in his starting XI for the World Cup and admitted the Queenslander - who scored his maiden ODI century against India on Friday - is no guarantee to make it into the squad given Australia's bevy of batting options.

The former Australia skipper also selected Nathan Lyon ahead of Adam Zampa, indicating that the conditions in India will suit the experienced off-spinner better.

"One thing we have to take into consideration is that side is going to be playing in England in June and July and not in India or Dubai in February or March," Taylor noted.

"I have got Lyon just ahead of Zampa, particularly in England conditions."

Mark Taylor's best Australia XI for World Cup:

1. Aaron Finch (c)

2. David Warner

3. Steve Smith

4. Shaun Marsh

5. Glenn Maxwell

6. Marcus Stoinis

7. Alex Carey

8. Mitchell Starc

9. Pat Cummins

10. Josh Hazlewood

11. Nathan Lyon

Australia's World Cup fixtures

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE