I deserved to be axed, says Finn

Tim murtagh takes a sip of his Bank holiday guinness and contemplates the merits of middlesex team-mate and close friend Steven Finn before they meet on opposing sides when England face ireland.

‘ in the first few weeks of the season he’s bowling as well as i’ve ever seen,’ said murtagh, who, despite his choice of tipple, sounds more Lambeth than Limerick.

‘On his day there’s no one similar to Finny in English cricket. any team is better with him in it.’

Finn, sticking to water, returns the compliment to a bowler given a new lease of life five years ago when, aged 30, he took up ireland’s invitation to play for them, qualifying through a Dublin-born grandfather. ‘a guy who has done as much as he has deserves international recognition — even if it is because of a dodgy irish passport,’ smiled Finn when the pair met in an upmarket irish pub in London. ‘tim has done exceptionally well for ireland and is very dangerous with that new ball.’

murtagh’s tribute to one of his best mates is timely as Finn was left out of England’s Champions trophy squad, though he will join them for the two royal London internationals against ireland this weekend at Bristol and Lord’s.

‘i’m disappointed because i feel i’ve got a lot to offer in 50- over cricket but i didn’t set the world alight in the Caribbean,’ said Finn.

‘it was frustrating. i had a good opportunity to take a lot of wickets in a series we won comfortably but i didn’t take my chance.’ When England selector James Whitaker said Jake Ball had pipped Finn to the last fast-bowling place in the trophy squad, he blamed the middlesex man’s lack of variation.

Finn agreed. ‘most definitely,’ he said. ‘it’s something i’ve become more aware of in the last 18 months when i haven’t played much ODi cricket. as the game has developed there is not as much merit in hammering away on the back of a length and you do need variations in pace and length. i’m learning all the time.

‘i’m working on different slower balls and now it’s about having the confidence to use them in matches. i’m disappointed the call went against me but it’s a fair point.’

murtagh has long been one of the best bowlers in domestic cricket but he had already given up on playing for England when he was given his chance with ireland in 2012.

Now he hopes to cause an upset in ireland’s first full international against England in England. ‘We’ve played each other before but not bowled at each other — a shame because we’re both convinced we’d get the other out,’ said Finn.