Finn insists England have time to prove World Cup pedigree
ENGLAND seamer Steven Finn is refusing to press the panic button despite the worrying decline in one-day form which his side will bid to arrest against Sri Lanka in Hambantota today.
A little over two years ago England moved top of the one-day rankings for the first time but have now lost 15 of their last 22 one-day internationals against Test-playing nations after defeat in Colombo on Saturday, and trail the current series 2-0.
The slump is lent extra significance with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand only a matter of months away, although Finn insists England need to relish the challenge of proving the slide is not terminal.
“We’ve got 10 games of cricket, which is 1000 overs to play until the World Cup,” said Finn. “So we’ve got a good amount of time to get ready. We need to keep showing balls. We need to front up and get out there and face everything that is put in front of us.”
Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes is in contention to retain his place after suffering a stomach upset, while Finn admits thoughts will be with Australia’s Phillip Hughes, whose funeral was due to take place today.
“Everyone will step aside and pay their respects in their own way,” he added. “I know everyone in the England dressing room will. I don’t think there’s a cricketer in the world who hasn’t shed a tear.”