Finn: I can cope in Australia
England fast bowler Steven Finn says he can cope with the Australian sledging that is certain to happen during the Ashes this winter.
Finn will play cricket in Australia for the first time if he makes the Ashes squad. Australian opener Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 has already said that Finn is a target for Australians both on and off the field.
However, 21-year-old Finn says he will not let anything affect his game this winter. He says he is prepared and sees any Australian attention as a positive towards his own game.
Finn has the skill and adaptability to do well in Australian conditions. However, the real test will be how he reacts if Australia decides to get after the bowler in every single game.
Finn's game
Finn's game is very productive and he has done well so far in his Test career. He's taken 22 wickets in just five Test matches, which demonstrates he is not a bad bowler.
Finn has the height and pace needed to bowl well in Australia. His height allows him to get extra bounce from a pitch. This will be key on flat Australian wickets when the ball is not moving sideways.
His age is a slight concern but he seems full of energy and enthusiasm. He has no mental scars from playing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the past and should get fired up in a positive way if he endures any verbal abuse.
He said: "I won't be bothered by it. I'll just shrug it off. I don't know if there will be a lot of sledging. I haven't played in an Ashes series before but if there is I'll just concentrate on putting
the ball on a good length and keeping my focus on that regardless of whatever they say."
The real test
The real test will be how Finn reacts when he is targeted by the Australian players and media. The Australian batting line up can quickly take a game away from any side and Finn hasn't shown his defensive
game in a Test match.
The Australian press is well known for getting under the skin of touring players. Finn is http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 man and has to ignore any negative publicity he is forced to endure. He must turn this into something positive.
He added: "I'm confident that, no matter who it is that is put in front of me, I will be able to do the same processes that will end up in the same result i.e., me being successful. It means a lot to play
against [Australia]. I grew up watching Ashes series when I was younger and there were a lot of people who I looked up to throughout my career."
Betting advice
Finn has everything a bowler needs to play well in Australia. He should take wickets consistently but be wary of backing him to be the top English wicket taker.
There are other bowlers in the England team that have greater variations and are able to adapt better to an aggressive Australian side. James Anderson can swing the ball more and Stuart Broad can move
the ball more off the seam. However, Finn can take five wickets in any game he plays.
He is surrounded by a good management team and experienced players. This means if he endures verbal and written abuse in Australia then it shouldn't affect his game. The Ashes could be a serious indication
of whether Finn will have a long and successful Test career.
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