Steven Finn will be drafted into England’s squad for the remainder of their Champions Trophy campaign on Sunday, replacing the injured Chris Woakes in what is a show of rigid consistency by the selectors and the captain, Eoin Morgan.
Finn’s international career has been mercurial over the last four years but, having opened the bowling on England’s one-day tour of the Caribbean this winter and played in their third one-dayer against South Africa last Monday, he retained his place as next in line following the side-strain suffered by Woakes during their opening win against Bangladesh on Thursday.
England were waiting for official sign-off for Finn’s inclusion from the ICC’s event technical committee on Saturday evening, having submitted the relevant forms after watching the 28-year-old pick up two for 49 as their Lions team beat South Africa A in Northampton.
The call-up means Finn, who has 102 wickets from 69 one-day caps and reached the heights of No2 in the world rankings back in 2012, has seen off the challenge of his Middlesex team-mate Toby Roland Jones and Surrey’s Tom Curran and could come straight into the side to face New Zealand in Cardiff on Tuesday – where victory would seal a semi-final place.
Adil Rashid, the leg-spinner who was dropped for the Bangladesh match, and the left-armer David Willey represent England’s other bowling options but whoever gets the nod in the final XI, Woakes will certainly be missed as a go-to man for Morgan at the end of an innings.
Having closed out England’s pre-tournament series win over South Africa last Saturday by nervelessly defending seven off the final over at Southampton, Mark Wood has joined Liam Plunkett – the man entrusted at the end of the first innings on Thursday – in sticking his hand up for further death over duties.
“I’m comfortable doing it and we have got a number of people that can also,” said Wood, who bowled with good pace against Bangladesh and was unfortunate to go wicketless. “Liam Plunkett did it at the Oval, Ben Stokes has done it in India and in Twenty20 cricket, and done it really well. We have options.”
On his own mentality at the death, Wood added: “At times you can almost rush through it, so sometimes it’s nice if the captain comes up to you and you have a little chat. I know my run-up is very short and stop-start, but if you can have that little break, take a breather, that helps.
“The manic behaviour of the one-day game at the minute – especially at the end – means the ball is flying here, there and everywhere, so you’ve just got to be so clear with your plans. I wouldn’t be too disappointed if I disappeared around the field if I stuck to my plan and executed it.”
New Zealand, whose opener with Australia was ruined by rain meaning both sides picked up one point, represent the first of two chances England have to qualify for the semi-finals. Their attack leader, Trent Boult, played with Woakes at Kolkata during the recent Indian Premier League and knows first hand the quality of bowler that has been lost.
“I think he’s a massive payer for them,” said Boult. “He’s played extremely well for them over the past few seasons but I’m sure they have the depth to replace him. We’re preparing to face a quality England side.
“Home conditions do fall into their favour but they are all quality sides in this tournament. Anything can happen and the rankings don’t mean anything – it’s who’s on it on the day.”
New Zealand were certainly on it against Australia, having emerged from the washout in Birmingham the more upbeat of the two sides and with their captain, Kane Williamson, up and running following a typically classy 100 that epitomised his level-headed, almost Zen-like approach to the sport.
Asked if he has ever seen Williamson gets worked up, Boult replied: “Not on the cricket field, no. He gets more flustered on what to wear on a dinner date with his missus. I think he gets it right but I’m no fashionista. He’s arguably the calmest man alive.”
