Finn, who will replace injured all-rounder Ben Stokes, is expected to be the only change to the England side that won the second Test at Old Trafford by 330 runs to level the four-match series at 1-1, when Cook tosses up with Pakistan counterpart Misbah-ul-Haq on Wednesday.
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Right-arm quick Sohail was recalled for just his third appearance at this level in place of Wahab Riaz as Pakistan broke up the all left-arm pace attack they had deployed for the first two Tests of this four-match series. The performances of Chris Woakes since his comeback against Sri Lanka mean that they are not without another all-round option, but their combined skills mean England could at some stage field a six-man bowling attack with Stokes considered a good enough batsman to play in the top five. The surface was not as hard as it had been this time past year during the Ashes series and the groundsman’s pre-game moisture reading of the pitch rang no alarm bells.
Nine days after Pakistan defied the odds by beating England at the home of cricket, the green shirts suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of the English at Old Trafford.
“Yes, there are points to prove. until the guys get good scores consistently that will be the case”, said the captain, who even as England’s record runscorer knows the spectre of increased pressure.
England’s (from L) Jake Ball, Steven Finn and James Anderson during nets at Edgbaston Tuesday.
The series is now level at 1-1, with England responding to defeat in the first Test at Lord’s with a comprehensive 330-run win at Old Trafford. “We are going to give him another go”.
Last year Finn was very effective against Australia when he took away most of the middle order in the second innings to set England up for the win at the Edgbaston.
“It is fantastic to see what a pivotal player he can be for England over the coming years”. “From my experience, sometimes lots of people telling you you’re a good player and that it’s only a matter of time before things turn is the last thing you want to hear”.
The return clash was a hastily arranged affair at The Oval, with England’s WG Grace – the father of modern batting – scoring 152 on Test debut – and then seeing England home as they struggled to make 57 in their second innings. It’s all a far cry from the first six matches of his Test career, with Woakes managing just one wicket for 144 runs against South Africa at Centurion in January.
Pakistan will be hoping their stars can be offered more support from the rest of their team around them.
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Steven Finn in training ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.
