All-rounder Shane Watson will lead Australia in the third and final Twenty20 International against India Sunday in the absence of Aaron Finch, who was ruled out after damaging his left hamstring during Friday's second match in Melbourne. Finch suffered the injury while batting during the team's 27-run loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which saw India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Left-handed batsman Usman Khawaja has replaced Finch in the squad for Sunday's match and has also been included in Australia's One-Day International squad for the tour of New Zealand. "It is an honor to be asked to lead the side Sunday, although the circumstances are far from ideal," Watson said in a Cricket Australia statement. "We may have lost the series but there is a great deal to play for with the ICC World Twenty20 coming up and you can be sure we will be determined to do well in Sydney." The 34-year-old Watson has previously captained Australia in a lone Test and nine ODIs and is the country's second most experienced player in T20 Internationals behind opening batsman David Warner. McCullum hopes to play Brendon McCullum said he expects to return to the New Zealand team for the deciding One-Day International against Pakistan in Auckland Sunday, however explosive opener Martin Guptill is now doubtful. Guptill twisted an ankle in training Saturday and was rated by coach Mike Hesson as "a 50:50 prospect" of playing in the third and final match of the series. Captain McCullum, whose farewell tour has been disrupted since a back injury flared up five weeks ago, said he expected to play in the last match against Pakistan and then the Australia series in February before retiring. "I've had a good couple of hits," he said of his work in the nets over recent days. "It's probably not 100 per cent but there's a bit of stiffness so hopefully I'll be fine for tomorrow." New Zealand, which beat Pakistan 2-1 in the Twenty20s, comprehensively won the first ODI by 70 runs with the second match washed out. While it needs to win in Auckland to claim the series, Hesson said he would not risk Guptill if he is not fully fit. "We won't play him unless he's fit," he said. "Twisted ankle is one of those ones he could wake up and be fine or it could be sore for 24-48 hours." Tom Latham, who has opened for New Zealand in McCullum's absence, will play if either McCullum or Guptill pulls out of the Pakistan match. New Zealand has been hard hit by injuries with Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan all unavailable to play Australia and Hesson said that will test the depth of his squad. "This is a pinnacle event for us and we'll look to get our best side out on the park each time we play," he said. "We've been lucky enough to use a big squad over the summer and although we're missing a few key players, we have guys who can step in and we know are up to the task." — Agencies
