Finn says win ‘softens the blow’ of Test whitewash

Published on Monday 20 February 2012 00:00

England’s one-day series victory over Pakistan has raised spirits, but merely “softens the blow” of their Test whitewash, according to Steven Finn.

Pakistan have had no answer to fast bowler Finn, who has been irresistible on the way to 11 wickets for 92 runs in England’s romp to a 3-0 scoreline.

On Saturday, Kevin Pietersen hit his first ODI century for more than three years to steer England to a nine-wicket success. Chasing 223 for victory, the tourists eased home with 12.4 overs to spare after Pietersen (111 not out) and captain Alastair Cook (80) shared an opening partnership of 170.

Finn had earlier taken three for 24, and he and his team-mates have the chance to make more gains in the final match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium tomorrow, when another victory would mean England have repaid Pakistan whitewash for whitewash following their Test disappointments.

Even then, though, it seems – for Finn, who was part of the Test squad but was not picked for any of the matches – ODI success will not truly compensate for what went before.

“It’s a great result for England,” he said, reflecting on Saturday’s series-clinching win. “It is a great thing to be involved with, to win out here in their own conditions. It’s what we came to achieve.”

England are bucking expectations by winning at 50-over cricket, as the Test world No 1s did too by losing so badly in their favoured format.

“Unfortunately we weren’t able to [do it] during the Test series, but to do it in the ODI series softens the blow a little bit,” added Finn. “I wouldn’t say it makes up for it. I’d say it shows we’ve improved and adapted to the conditions, which unfortunately we were not able to do during the Test series.

“But to win here and have the chance to make it 4-0 on Tuesday is great opportunity for us to ram home what a good one-day side we’ve become.”

For the third match in succession, Finn was shunted out of the limelight by a batsman yesterday as Pietersen’s first ODI hundred for more than three years followed Cook’s two in succession in the previous matches.

He is not bitter, though, and points out, even though much of the hard work was done by England’s outstanding attack, that Pietersen had to play very well too on an awkward surface.

“The batsmen played fantastically well for us to win the game last night,” he said. “That was a tricky pitch to bat on. We saw when we bowled that the ball reverse-swung. It was tough to score. The batsmen were fantastic and deserved all the plaudits.”

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