Steven Finn can be big part of the England team for years to come, says Steve Harmison

Steve Harmison has backed Steven Finn to be a "big part" of the England bowling attack for years to come, ahead of the first Test with Pakistan at Lord's.

The Middlesex paceman struggled at times during the series with Sri Lanka but Harmison has no doubt that he can return to top form in the near future.  

Indeed, Harmison believes that Finn would benefit from having the chance to bowl longer spells and, with James Anderson ruled out of the opening Test, he may be given that chance on his home ground.

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"There's a lot been made of Steve Finn and, as somebody who was very similar, I felt sorry for him a little bit," Harmison told Sky Sports.

"[Stuart] Broad and Anderson had done so well against Sri Lanka that he was coming on after these two gems had bowled, he was coming back from injury and he never really got the chance to have a long bowl.

"He seems to be somebody who needs a good, long bowl consistently and when you've got Broad and Anderson blowing teams away, to get that on the international stage is harder.

"He'll have wanted to bowl a bit better than he did but I wouldn't be looking too much into it. I thought he did okay. No team has every single player play well all the time because if you did teams would be bowled out for 20 and you'd go out and bat and get 800!

"Steve Finn will get better and better and better, he's a big player on the big stage for England and he needs to be backed and allowed to bowl. Simple as that, let him bowl and let him play."

One issue that was picked up on during the series against Sri Lanka was that, particularly in the first two Tests, Finn's pace was significantly lower than has become expected from him.

Harmison argues that Finn should be given the time to regain his form and confidence but says it is not as simple as just running in and trying to bowl quickly.

"People look too much into it, I think they're wrong to try and put pressure on the kid," added the 2005 Ashes winner.

"He's a big part of England being the team that they want to be - he has to be. It's easy for people to say - and I had it throughout my career - 'just go up and bowl fast', that's easier said than done, especially when you're a little bit low on confidence and you're not sure exactly what the ball is doing.

"He's got to find a way to get into a spell, get through a spell, into his next spell, get through a day and steadily build his confidence up that way. When he does that and I've no doubt he will because he's a class performer, Steve Finn will start taking fives and sixes, no problem at all."

Like Finn, Chris Woakes has had to deal with his fair share of criticism when playing for England in the past but the Warwickshire all-rounder has been in superb form this summer since coming into the team for the injured Ben Stokes.

Another member of England's 2005 Ashes-winning bowling attack, Simon Jones, has been impressed by Woakes and the improvements he has made to his game.

"The thing that shocked me most about Chris Woakes was that he was the quickest of the lot," said Jones.

"He was bowling late 80s most of the time, I loved the lines he bowled, he bowled attacking lines, he bowled with discipline and with good rhythm and from where he was, he is looking a very, very good cricketer."

Like so many observers, the Welshman has thoroughly enjoyed watching the England bowling attack in recent times and feels that there are few to match it in world cricket.

"There are a few good attacks around the world, South Africa have a very good attack but England have got to be up there," added Jones.

"They're bowling as a unit, back in '05 we did the same thing. They have boys for different roles and I think that's key. You need variety in the attack and that's what they've got at the moment.

"Jimmy and Stuart Broad have been exceptional over the years and they have these young lads coming through which is really exciting for England and the future bodes well."

Steve Harmison and Simon Jones were speaking at a PCA England Masters event at Bramhall Cricket Club to help raise money for the 1000 Hearts for Harry charity.