The shape of Finns to come look promising for Woakes
STEVEN Finn is in no doubt that fellow England international Chris Woakes will come back a better bowler than ever following his spell in the Indian Premier League.
The Warwickshire all-rounder has been spending his spring with the Kolkata Knight Riders, rewarded for impressive domestic and international bowlers with a chance to take part in the world’s biggest T20 competition.
That has also seen Woakes take the mantle of an overseas player, landing him with a hefty price tag and plenty of expectation on his shoulders.
But Finn, who has experience of the big stage in the Pakistan Super League, believes Warwickshire and England will see the benefit of his time away, particularly with a big summer of one-day cricket ahead.
“Seeing guys like Chris go over to the IPL gives us as a nation the expo- sure and access to the legends that are around that environment,” said Finn, ahead of England’s Royal London One-Day International Series with Ireland, which gets under way tomorrow. “From a learning perspective that’s a great thing, he’s gone over there and had the pressure of being an overseas player, being paid decent money to perform, which is something he’ll have not really had elsewhere. “It’s taken him out of his comfort zone and I’m sure he’ll be a better p layer because of it. “If you just stay in England and don’t go out to these tournaments then you don’t always get the chance to pick the brains of some of the top guys. I went out to the PSL and spoke to (former Pakistan fast bowler) Wasim Akram about bowl- ing yorkers, and bowling on flat wickets. “That’s something Chris will be able to get access to, you’re in and around people who you’re learning with for six weeks, so there’s no way really that he won’t be able to get that knowledge.” Woakes’ IPL appearance is just the latest part of his evergrowing pedigree in English cricket, with Finn at the forefront of those championing his abilities. That’s taken the Bears’ ace to an important role in the Test side, also rewarded with a place in this summer’s Champions Trophy in England in the shorter format. And for Finn, it’s the day in, day out ability of the 28-year-old that has become his biggest selling point, predicting a big future to be in store in the coming years.
“He’s become an important part of that England team and done an excellent job, he’s become a very dependable player with bat and ball and that’s so important at international level,” added Finn.
“He represents that consistency, when you get a run of games together then you get that rhythm into your game.
“As a bowler that’s very important, particularly when it comes to confidence in your ability, and that can put him in good stead.”
■Steven Finn was speaking on behalf of Royal London, proud sponsors of One Day cricket, ahead of the upcoming ODI matches against Ireland.
He’s become an important part of that England team, a very dependable player with bat and ball and that’s so important. Steven Finn