Steven Finn focused on Middlesex ahead of England's busy summer
Saturday 1 April 2017 08:52, UK
Steven Finn plans to hit the ground running with Middlesex this season as competition for England pace places grows.
Finn toured India as part of the Test squad over the winter without getting a game, although he did return to the one-day side in the West Indies.
Jake Ball and Chris Woakes were both picked ahead of him in India, while the likes of Surrey's Curran brothers and Finn's Middlesex team-mates Toby Roland-Jones and Ton Helm pushed their own claims playing for England Lions in Sri Lanka.
The incentives this year are huge for England hopefuls, with June's Champions Trophy followed by Test series' against South Africa and West Indies ahead of a winter Ashes tour.
Finn's 36 Tests to date include seven against Australia, but a third Ashes series is a long way from the fast bowler's thoughts as Middlesex finalise preparations for the start of their County Championship defence.
"If I look too far ahead it's a bad thing so Australia isn't on my radar," he said. "If I start well with Middlesex then we have a County Championship to retain.
"Bowling well for Middlesex is what's going to get me in the England picture, nothing else.
"If you think about it, I played in the last England ODI and was on the last Test tour. Of course I am very much hoping to be in the England mix.
"This early part of the summer is a big challenge for me to show that I can do it and keep doing it regularly so I am looking forward to getting out there with Middlesex."
