England calls on Finn as Woakes replacement

Monday, 5 June 2017 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

IN-2 England’s selectors have opted for Steven Finn to replace Chris Woakes in their ICC Champions Trophy squad as they look to build on their impressive opening-day win against Bangladesh, with Group A fixtures against New Zealand and Australia to come.

Finn, the third-quickest English bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, has played 69 ODIs for his country already and is in form, having found success in two England Lions matches against South Africa A in the past few days, bagging five wickets. The Middlesex man also took part in the ODI series between England and South Africa that preceded the ICC Champions Trophy.

England have preferred Finn’s experience and proven wicket-taking ability to the likes of Tom Curran and Toby Roland-Jones, a record of 102 wickets at under 30 apiece and an economy-rate of a tick over five proving too much to resist.

The 6ft 7in seamer, who made his Middlesex debut at just 16, first appeared for England seven years ago and in a stop-start career has been in and out of both the Test and ODI sides over that time.

The obvious pluses of his steepling bounce and excellent strike-rate have been offset by recent injuries and frequent modifications to his action, designed to give him the consistent rhythm that makes him a real threat. Signs of menace have been there in red and white ball cricket this season and England will be hoping that these can be carried into the ICC Champions Trophy.