Steven Finn flys out to South Africa ahead of England's Test series
Tuesday 15 December 2015 08:22, UK
Steven Finn has flown out to South Africa to join up with England's squad ahead of the opening Test on Boxing Day.
The Middlesex seamer was forced to miss the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates after sustaining a stress-related injury to his foot.
Finn impressed in England's Ashes win over Australia in the summer, but now faces plenty of competition for a place alongside James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
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He was left out of the squad for South Africa to continue his rehabilitation but made a superb return to action last Friday when he took 3-22 in four overs in a Twenty20 game for England Lions against Pakistan A.
Finn then returned figures of 1-30 in Sunday's win in Dubai and has clearly done enough to prove his fitness to selector Mick Newell, who has been monitoring the Lions in their five-game series which finishes on Wednesday.
Finn said: "I've been really pleased with the way things have gone with the Lions. I've bowled my overs and my foot has come through fine. I'm excited by the prospect of linking up with the team out in South Africa."
In addition to likely starters Broad and Anderson, England have left-armer Mark Footitt and all-rounders Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes competing for places in their attack.
Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow welcomed the news about Finn and said: "We were really disappointed with Finny getting injured in the UAE, he's an integral part of our squad and to have him back and hopefully pushing for a place in the first or second Test is fantastic.
"He's had a bit of a break and he's raring to go after putting some performances in for the Lions out in Dubai. Finny, with his height and extra bounce and pace will bring a different aspect to our pace attack."
Speaking during Sir Ian Botham's charity walk in South Africa, former Proteas seamer Shaun Pollock said: "It is a big boost for England to have Finn back.
"You need depth in a squad and I have been impressed with what I've seen of him since his change of action. These South African conditions should suit him - he's a tall man and there is lots of bounce on offer."
