GEELONG star Aaron Finch deserves to be part of Australia's squad for this year's Twenty20 World Cup, according to Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot.
Finch was recognised for his excellent form in this summer's inaugural Big Bash League with the award as the Renegades' Player of the Season.
Helmot said Finch, who was surprisingly overlooked for Australia's two recent T20 internationals against the West Indies, had proven in the last couple of years how damaging a player he can be in that format.
In his only international appearance of the summer for Australia, Finch top-scored with 36 off 23 balls against India at the MCG.
"Finchy has shown time and again that he's a force to be reckoned with at the top of the order particularly in the shorter forms of the game," Helmot, who is also the Victorian Bushrangers assistant coach, said.
"Not only is he a consistent performer in T20, he also demonstrated his strength as a leader during the Big Bash League and that's a testament to his character and the respect he commands.
"He certainly adds a bit of an X-factor to any side he's playing in.
"I have no doubt that he should be opening the batting for Australia when the T20 World Cup hits off in Sri Lanka later in the year.
"If nothing else, I'd love to see him out there for the pure spectacle of it."
The 25-year-old explosive batsman is currently preparing for the start of the IPL, where he'll be a key player in the Delhu Daredevils line-up.
"The IPL really provides a chance for Finchy to mount a case that he should be opening the batting for Australia in the T20 format," Helmot declared.
"Hopefully he performs to the high standards he sets himself and puts his hand up for national selection."
Geelong players featured prominently in this week's Cricket Victoria awards.
Meyrick Buchanan earned the Future Star award as Victoria's best under-19 player an award that Finch has also previously won.
Buchanan is currently in Townsville representing the Australian under-19 team in the International Quad Series.
The 18-year-old also played one match for the Renegades in the Big Bash League.
"Meyrick is a phenomenal young talent," Helmot said.
Geelong leg-spinner Jeremy Hart was the Cats sole representative in the Premier Cricket team of the season, named on Wednesday night.
Hart had an impressive summer, claiming 52 wickets at an average of 18.58 to be the competition's leading bowler.
