'Middlesex man should have been back in side sooner'
Friday 31 July 2015 08:16, UK
Michael Holding saluted Steven Finn’s hard work after the recalled England seamer ripped Australia apart on day two of the third Investec Ashes Test.
The Middlesex man last played a Test two years ago but Sky Sports pundit Holding says his haul at Edgbaston proves he should have returned sooner.
“I have always thought that he should be playing for England a long, long time ago,” Holding said of Finn, who also dismissed Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Johnson on Thursday.
"He has come back fitter, stronger, and solved that technical problem he had of clipping the stumps."
“He was dropped when he was the leading wicket taker in a series – the 2010/11 Ashes - but I don’t think he has taken disappointment too hard.
“He has gone away and done whatever has been required – he has come back fitter, stronger, and solved that technical problem he had of clipping the stumps.
“It is not easy to remodel your action and get back into rhythm but he has done it and it is really good to see.”
Ricky Ponting, meanwhile, says that Finn – who replaced Mark Wood for the Edgbaston clash – will continue to be a threat for England on all pitches.
“When you are as tall as he is and can bowl at 90 miles per hour, it doesn’t matter what surface you bowl on, you are going to cause problems,” said the former Australia skipper.
“He has looked dangerous with every over that he has bowled, bowling at least a couple of balls that have challenged the edge or gone past it.
“You can tell by the way he is releasing the ball that he is confident – he found some out-swing and was hitting the bat hard.”
The 33-year-old will be assessed overnight and on Friday morning but Holding thinks Anderson is well aware that his injury scare could be severe.
“The shot of him walking off with his sweater over his face – a look of real disappointment – shows you he knows this is a serious problem,” added the ex-West Indies quick.”
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