Aaron Finch believes depth in Australian cricket is returning to early 2000s 'glory years'

Proud captain: Aaron Finch is encouraged by the depth of quality that is returning to Australian cricket
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Will Macpherson25 June 2019

Australia captain Aaron Finch believes his nation are heading back to the “glory years” of great national depth ahead of the Ashes.

While the one-day team have been going well at the World Cup, Australia A have been in great form, thrashing Northamptonshire and Derbyshire, with opening batsman Matthew Wade hitting a pair of centuries - he has 272 runs from 138 balls on the tour so far.

Cameron Bancroft, the third member of the ‘sandpaper trio’ alongside David Warner and Steve Smith, staked his claim for an Ashes berth with a century for Durham against Sussex on Monday.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on the [Australia A] score,” said Finch.

"There’s been a bit of chat between JL [Justin Langer] and Graeme Hick [Australia A coach] and myself. It’s great to see Wadey smacking them.

"He’s done that for quite a while in domestic cricket now. It’s great to see.

“They have had a couple of really good wins, the A boys, and quite convincing, as well, so that’s really good.

"I think it’s a sign of the strength that we are building over the last couple of years.

Matthew Wade has been in excellent form for Australia A during their tour of England
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“The depth of Australian cricket is starting to get back to what people call the heyday, the glory years of the early 2000s and times like that when the competition underneath the men’s and women’s international team was so fiercely competitive; it’s starting to get back to that.

"Guys are getting an opportunity, whenever it might be, they are putting their hand up and being counted and making sure they are being in the forefront of selectors’ minds when selection comes up.”

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