Finn backs Woakes and Meaker to seize chance
FAST-BOWLER Steven Finn has thrown his weight behind England’s controversial rotation policy, insisting it is a critical tool for developing senior players.
Finn is likely to enjoy an even more prominent role in today’s third and final one-day international against West Indies, with England taking advantage of their unassailable 2-0 lead to rest Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan at Headingley.
And the rangy Finn believes that system has the added benefit of accelerating the progress of emerging talent by exposing them to top-level cricket.
“Having other senior players missing gives me an opportunity to be an even more senior player within the group,” said Finn.
“The more exposure we get at an early age the better we are going to be in the future.
“It [the rotation policy] is more of an investment in the future with the rest of those guys also able to prolong their careers and play in the more important games. It also gives the young guys the opportunity to come through and make the most of it.”
Finn also believes incoming seamers Chris Woakes and Stuart Meaker are good enough to ensure England are not severely weakened by the absence of key men.
“They’re both fantastic talents,” he added. “Stuart bowls upward of 90 miles an hour and Woakesy has got all the skills – he’s got the potential to turn into someone of Jimmy Anderson’s stature.”
Meanwhile, England have confirmed their tour of New Zealand, which starts in late January, will follow straight on from the winter trip to India. The first of three Tests begins on 6 March in Dunedin, before matches in Wellington and Auckland.