Finn hoping to tip the scales for Middx
Steven Finn
By Dingy Bags
March 11 2007
Dingy Bags has interviewed Middlesex fast bowling prodigy Steve Finn about his recent trip with England U-19 to Malaysia, his hopes for the coming season and longer term goals.
DB What was the whole Malaysia experience like? Wickets like to bowl on? Standard of the opposition?
SF It was a wholly beneficial experience. I played against some very good, naturally talented cricketers on somewhat placid wickets. Malaysia is a developing cricketing country and their players improved with experience as the month went on. India and Sri Lanka were strong teams, although maybe our results against them should have been better. Touring in a country like Malaysia is excellent experience for someone of my age. It’s a very Europeanised place, but the heat was the thing that took the most getting used to. I’d keep an eye on Indian batsman, Sunny Sohal, in the not too distant future; the other outstanding talent was Chawla, the leg-spinner who has already played test cricket, of course. Mind you, since we played on the same strip all the time, he was turning it square by the last match.
DB What’s this about being taken off for running on the wicket, in the final against India?
SF The umpires got it wrong! They used the wrong lines to identify the danger zone. I was startled when I was called in the last game of the tour, arguably the biggest, when I had been doing the same thing all month.
DB How does international u-19 cricket compare with second X1 in terms of standard?
SF The standards are similar. In both forms of the game there are some very talented players. Second XI cricket has players with more experience; it is hard to get on top of more experienced players as a 17 year old.
DB What are your targets for the coming season?
SF I have enjoyed the winter period and have worked harder than ever on improving my fitness, so I am optimistic for the 2007 season. I train with the Academy, because I’m at school during the day. This has actually been helpful because there are some very good cricketers on it this year, ever improving with the high quality coaching they receive. This was a big help to me in my two years with the Academy. Personally, I am looking to start to make an impact as a bowler in Second XI cricket and see where that takes me. If I am selected and continue to work at my game, the Pakistan u-19 side is here this summer. Further ahead, I will still be eligible for the u-19 world cup which is to be held next winter in Malaysia (hence this tour was ideal preparation). However, that is a long way off.
DB Unlike, say, Billy Godleman, you’ve decided to continue in education, rather than turn to cricket full-time. Was this a hard decision?
SF No, I saw it as an easy decision to make. It is paramount that you have a career after cricket. Who knows, I may suffer a total lack of form, or experience an injury that will end my career, so I feel it is mandatory that I carry out and complete my academic studies. [Steve is hoping to go to university next year.]
DB Are you at a disadvantage in second XI cricket, not being able to concentrate on your cricket full-time?
SF I wouldn’t say that I am. I train a lot of the time even though I am at school. I feel that my preparation for a game is no different from anyone else’s. I still carry out the same routines as I would if I were playing cricket full time.
DB At the recent forum, Embers talked about trying to establish a “fast bowling culture” at the club. Presumably you’d welcome this? The club now has a fast bowling coach in John Lever. Are you looking forward to working with him?
SF Yes. I am looking forward to working with someone of John Lever’s status and experience. It will be good to get an insight from a quick bowler who has had success at Test level. I will certainly be picking his brains whenever I have access to him.
DB Did you get the chance to learn from, eg, Glen McGrath or Stuart Clark when they were with us?
Unfortunately, when Glen McGrath was with us I was too junior to have any real contact with him. My first year under contract was 2005, and Stuart Clark was with us, but his period was brief and I was tied up with school work (GCSEs). So I didn’t get to learn from them.
DB Which of the first XI bowlers are you most like as a bowler?
SF I wouldn’t say I was particularly similar to anyone. I feel I am my own bowler and I feel that what I do is unique and personal to me. However, if I was to look at someone’s game plan I would say that I would try to copy Silverwood and Richardson, just to try and hit my areas and look to bowl dot balls, which is the most obvious way to be successful. Every other aspect of your bowling game fits into place when you sort out the control.
DB What are your medium – long term ambitions?
SF Medium-term my ambitions are to become a regular member of the Middlesex team, and a key member of the squad. Also, I hope that Middlesex can become the powerhouse of county cricket, of which the current squad is certainly capable. As I mature as a bowler, my longer-term ambition is to help to keep us there, in a prolonged dominance of the county circuit.