Five-star Steven Finn helps England crush Bangladesh
A win is a win, as they say, but as the dust settles on England’s latest victory over Bangladesh – by far their most convincing one in their recent clashes both in Southern Asia and at home – there can’t be too many positives to take from beating such poor opposition inside three days at Old Trafford.
One would undoubtedly be Steven Finn though.
There are few places for the beanpole Middlesex paceman to hide, and after a disappointing first innings at Old Trafford, where he was only trusted with eight overs by captain Andrew Strauss, the 21-year-old responded with five for 42 in the second, as the hosts ripped through the tourists to win by an innings and 80 runs, sealing a 2-0 series victory.
Strauss, correctly, was at pains to point out that there will be “sterner tests” in the Tests ahead, but if the emergence of Finn is all that England take from this experience, then it will be time well spent.
His height, pace and variation make him an almost perfect foil for James Anderson – who took three wickets in the second innings – and, even though he will come up against much tougher opposition in his burgeoning Test career, the early signs are encouraging.
He already has his name on the Lord’s honours board, five wickets on his first Test appearance in this country ensured that, and with the Ashes edging to the forefront of the collective consciousness, he couldn’t have timed his emergence better.
Fifteen wickets in two matches earned him the man of the series award, an honour that is sure to encourage him, not that his feet have left the ground.
“I bowled better at Lord's and there are a lot of areas to improve,” he said, “going at more than four an over is not ideal really in a Test match. It's about putting the right amount of balls in the right areas - I've bowled too many four balls and been a bit loose at times.
“It's been very challenging. It's easy to cope mentally when you are winning but physically, two Tests take it out of you - the intensity of it.”
So if he’s not going to laud his achievements, then someone else will have to.
“He's got a big future,” said Strauss, before adding, “but it's very early in his career. We're just trying to keep his feet on the ground really and not over-hype him at this stage.”
They are already aware of him in Australia though, and with his style deemed perfect for the conditions down under, they will be keeping a close eye on his development in the longest form of the game in the coming months.
Pakistan are the next test in the Tests, and if he performs well in those then the big man will be even harder to ignore for the Ashes.
And not just because he’s 6ft 7in.
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