Finn aims to become a first-choice selection

England fast bowler Steve Finn is hoping to use the current tour to Sri Lanka as a way to show selectors, who had called him 'unselectable' during the Ashes, that he's back in valuable form ahead of the World Cup.
Finn was sent home from Australia at the start of the year, after his action deteriorated to the point where he couldn't be picked. He went back to Middlesex and for most of the year worked at getting his form back.
He did well all season, and was rewarded with a recall for the India ODI series, and is now part of the Sri Lanka touring party. He took two wickets in a warm up game, and hopes his good form continues.
Finn said in Colombo: "I see this Sri Lanka trip as a platform to kick on. There are World Cup places up for grabs, which no one is guaranteed.
"I really enjoy bowling in subcontinental conditions, I can control a reverse swinging ball quite well which plays a big part out here. Hopefully I can keep opening the bowling which is something I enjoy doing.
"When you become one of the more experienced bowlers, you have that responsibility to communicate more with the other guys – to take the bull by the horns a little bit, and really make sure we're always discussing stuff out on the pitch.
"That's what Jimmy and Broady do. That's going to be my responsibility if I do play these ODIs – to make sure we're always talking about what's working and what's not working."
The Middlesex man said he never gave up hope of regaining his place, even after the 'harsh' assessment by Ashley Giles during the Ashes, and now understands his game better and is more able to deal with setbacks.
He added: "Unselectable is a harsh way to put it. Harsh and frank. If I'm being honest, I couldn't have gone out there and done myself justice in an England shirt back then.
"But saying that has spurred me on and motivated me to become selectable again. I wanted to be selectable to play for England again, that was my dream when I left Australia.
"Everyone goes through tricky times in their career. I don't think there's a player ever who hasn't gone through a tricky time and I think you learn a lot about yourself.
"I think before I experienced what happened in the last 12 months I didn't really have an understanding, I just ran up and bowled. You can't bowl with naivety.
"Now I have a far better understanding so if it is going wrong or I'm halfway through a game and it doesn't quite feel right I can pinpoint what's going on.
"I was in a bad place at the time. I'm in a good place now. I don't really want to dwell on the past, I want to look to the future."
Latest
-
News
Marizanne Kapp steers South Africa out of trouble after England’s flying start
Kapp hit 150 from 213 deliveries as England ushered in a new era with four debutants, three taking their maiden Test wickets.
-
News
Marizanne Kapp century rescues South Africa after England make flying start
Kapp made 150 to help the tourists recover from 45 for four.
-
News
Style not stats key to breaking into rejuvenated England team, says Ben Stokes
New captain Stokes has led England to a 3-0 Test series win over New Zealand.
-
News
Bairstow brilliance and fast finishes – The stats behind England’s new era
The hosts turned on the style in their 3-0 series win over New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root lead England to whitewash victory over New Zealand
England needed just 15.2 overs to win.
-
England
Eoin Morgan: International career with England in pictures
England white ball captain Eoin Morgan is set to announce his retirement from international cricket.
-
England
Eoin Morgan: The key moments in the reign of England captain
Morgan has played a record 248 one-day internationals.
-
England
England captain Eoin Morgan set to announce international retirement on Tuesday
The 35-year-old led England to the 2019 World Cup title.
-
England
Jack Leach enjoying life in ‘extremely positive’ England set-up
Leach’s first 10-wicket Test match haul and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Joe Root have left England on course for a 3-0 series win.
-
County Cricket
Hashim Amla and Ben Geddes hit hundreds as Surrey take control against Kent
The pair produced a third-wicket stand of 213 after the hosts were asked to bat.