Firing Finn can shake things up
STUART BROAD believes Steve Finn can end his time on the fringes of the Test side and return to the explosive form that had Edgbaston “shaking” against the Aussies last summer.
Broad said he could not remember a better atmosphere at a Test ground in England than when the Middlesex man took his career-best 6-79. And while Broad admits his team-mate has struggled to lock into the same sort of rhythm with any consistency since, he is hoping a return to Birmingham can spark him into life.
“The most memorable atmosphere for me in an English Test ground was Finny’s spell last year in the Ashes – Smith, then Clarke and Voges in two balls, then Mitch Marsh,” said Broad. “I remember standing at mid-off as he ran in thinking, ‘Wow, the ground is almost shaking here’.”
Finn faces what looks like a straight shootout with Jake Ball for the fourth seamer’s spot left open by the injury to Ben Stokes.
The pair will go head to head in the nets in what promises to be a fiery session at Edgbaston on Monday with a place in the XI up for grabs.
For Finn, a permanent spot has proved difficult to pin down throughout his career, a situation not helped by injury or by the emergence of Chris Woakes this summer. In six years he has managed just 33 Tests and on too many occasions has been the fall guy.
But Broad said: “I certainly don’t think he’d look at his Test career with any disappointment at all. He has got one of the best strike-rates of any fast bowler going, which proves that he’s a natural wicket-taker.
“But he’ll be desperate to cement his place in the team and not be that bowler that gets left out if we play another spinner.”
The likelihood of England playing Adil Rashid in the third Test would appear slim after his non-selection at Old Trafford. Whether Finn can edge out Ball is another matter.
There were signs in two luckless spells in Pakistan’s second innings in the first Test, where Finn had an lbw overturned on review and saw two chances dropped in the field, that he was locating his mojo.
“The biggest step for Finny will be staying fit consistently for the next two years as he has had some brilliant Test matches and unfortunately been injured after, which is always a big shame,” said Broad.
“That was the best I’ve seen him bowl at Edgbaston last year, without a doubt.
“He came back and bowled with fire and pace, moving the ball. It was completely uncomplicated.
“That should fill him with a lot of confidence coming in to next week. He bowled beautifully there and will have great confidence. If he can stay fit and get a real 10 or 15-Test run in the side that will do him the world of good.”
STUART BROAD is an Investec Test Cricket ambassador. For more on Investec private banking visit investec.co.uk/banking.