England fast bowler Steve Finn can put wind up the Kiwis

 
Stephen Brenkley4 March 2013

The new, shorter version of Steven Finn is preparing to put the frighteners on New Zealand in the First Test. He was much too polite to say so, naturally, but the amendments to the Middlesex fast bowler’s run-up appear to have increased his pace and therefore his ability to intimidate batsmen.

“I think the shorter run allows me to be stronger at the crease and in a better position which therefore makes me more consistent and able to put the ball in a better area,” he said after England’s practice session at the University Oval here today. “I feel I got more bounce off the shorter run.”

Bounce from a good length is often the key to disturbing international batsmen who are suddenly uncertain whether to play forward or back which in itself leads to confusion. It was clear in the one-day series between the teams that Finn was faster and equally clear that some Kiwi batsmen did not exactly relish the contest.

There is a suspicion and a growing sense of anticipation that Finn could break the 100mph barrier if he has the wind behind him when the match begins on Wednesday — and wind there will certainly be as the New Zealand summer turned rapidly to autumn in Dunedin today.

“I will have to negotiate with Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad or whoever plays and see what happens,” added Finn, 23. “We’ll see, if I get the wind then great.”

Finn has been working on a shortened run for months in the nets and seems pleasantly surprised by the outcome. One side effect may be that he stops knocking the bails off with his right knee in his delivery stride.

Such an action is to be deemed a no-ball from October following a recent decision by MCC’s laws sub-committee and will forever be known as Finn’s Law. He is still not quite fully convinced that the new run-up, which is about six strides difference from his former one, is here to stay.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “Obviously I’ve got the old one to go back to if I need it but it felt good in the one-day series. Over a longer period I will be able to assess that but it certainly felt I was more compact at the crease and had more control.

“My first over in the Test match will be off a shorter run. It is geared to being more consistent, being able to bowl longer spells and for longer in the day and keeping myself fresh.”

New Zealand’s preparations for the Test, given a fillip by a board XI’s three- wicket win over the tourists in Queensland on Saturday, suffered a setback today when seam bowler Doug Bracewell’s fitness was put in doubt.

According to a report on the New Zealand Herald website he cut his foot on broken glass while cleaning up after a party at his home at the weekend. Bracewell, 22, who has taken 46 wickets, missed practice today.

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