The Australian cricket team has been dealt with a major blow as their skipper Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the remainder of the West Indies and the upcoming Bangladesh tour.

Finch aggravated his knee injury during the fifth and final T20 International on, July 17. He missed the first two matches of the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. In his absence, wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey was leading the team in the ODIs. Finch is all set to return home and undergo knee surgery.

“I’m extremely disappointed to be heading home. This was considered the best course of action rather than traveling to Bangladesh, not being able to play, and losing that recovery time. I will have the surgery if required and start the recovery process ahead of the World Cup,” said Finch.

JUST IN: Another blow for Australia's T20 World Cup preparation.#WIvAUS | @LouisDBCameron

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 25, 2021

The 34-year-old will undertake two weeks of quarantine after arriving in Australia and may take another two months to recover. Cricket Australia released a statement, which said, “Selectors and the Cricket Australia medical team are optimistic Finch will recover in time for the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman, which commences in mid-October.”

Matthew Wade to lead Australia in place of Aaron Finch against Bangladesh

Alex Carey will continue as the leader of the Australia team for the remainder of the ODI series against the West Indies. Cricket Australia selectors will name the Australian T20I skipper on Monday. Matthew Wade is the front-runner for the post, as Alex Carey is not a regular starter in the T20 matches for Australia. Wade was the vice-captain in the recent T20Is and has captained Australia against India last season.

Australia will play five T20Is against the hosts Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, starting from August 3.

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