FROM THE ARCHIVE: Aaron Finch on his ambitions to play Test cricket

In October 2018, at the age of 31, Finch finally made his Test debut against Pakistan. While many thought this day may never come, he’s always believed - as expressed here in an interview with Richard Gibson from 2014

Since he broke onto the international scene in 2011, Aaron Finch has, for the majority of the time, been considered a specialist white-ball cricketer.

With 11 ODI centuries and 2 T20I tons - including a world record knock of 172 - it’s no surprise that many critics have viewed him in this manner.

But in October 2018, at the age of 31, Finch finally made his Test debut against Pakistan. While many thought this day may never come, he’s always believed - as expressed here in an interview with Richard Gibson.

Prior to the interview, Finch had just signed for Yorkshire and was keen to impress Darren Lehmann, the incumbent Australian coach.

What role did Darren Lehmann play in your signing for Yorkshire?

It was huge. Boof and Dizzy [Jason Gillespie] are very close mates. I couldn’t think of a better place to be.

^{Darren Lehmann in his Yorkshire days}

Will it help your bid for Test cricket?

Absolutely. My four-day form had been pretty poor for four years so this is a good opportunity to experience county cricket and English conditions and hopefully, if a Test spot comes up for grabs, I’ll be in the right place at the right time.

There are some seriously good players at the club, some very experienced ones as well, so the exercise is as much about learning from those guys as anything else.

Why do you think you have not been so productive in first-class cricket?

Good question. There has definitely been a bit of an issue with technique. At times I have been caught between whether to play my natural game as an attacking player or be ultra defensive. But I feel that my game has changed for the better.

I can trust it now and back the plans I have to be successful. I hope I can nail down the small technique changes I have had to make, then have the confidence to back them out in the middle. It is one thing doing it in training but as soon as you are under pressure you can fall back into old habits.

^{Aaron Finch did eventually make his Test debut in 2018}

How committed are you to becoming ‘a proper’ cricketer, so to speak?

I want to play Test cricket, that’s my No.1 goal. Whether that’s next year or a couple of years down the track, it doesn’t bother me one bit. You don’t grow up wanting to be a one-day cricketer for Australia. I grew up dreaming of being a Test cricketer. I think this stint can only help that.

The boyhood dream is in touch?

There will be opportunities, I am sure. Bucky [Chris] Rogers is older than the other guys so there will be changes ahead and that’s why I came here. To show I can cope in English conditions when it is not easy and the ball seams and swings.