Seamer Steven Finn admits he still has plenty to do to force his way into the England XI for the first Ashes Test.
Finn, the youngest Englishman to claim 50 Test wickets, was a sensation when he hit these shores three years ago but his career has stalled somewhat since.
He was the leading wicket taker in the 2010/11 Ashes series with 14 victims before being curiously rested by England management after the third Test and he has largely failed to fulfil his considerable promise since.
In the recent Ashes series in England he was dropped after the hosts’ narrow first Test win and wasn’t seen again.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are certain to open the bowling for England at the Gabba but the third seamer spot remains open with Chris Tremlett and Boyd Rankin also in contention.
Finn knows he can make it his spot with an impressive outing against the Australian Invitational XI in the match starting in Sydney on Wednesday.
Despite the wet weather that has followed England around the country and severely hampered preparation for their Ashes defence, good weather is predicted for the first two days of the four-day fixture and Finn knows he has to strike.
“I’ve had some good nets since Perth and I’ve got to transfer that out into the middle,” he said on Tuesday.
“I’m always looking to improve and get better … it’s all about performances out in the middle.
“I want to go at under three an over and build pressure and get wickets that way. I am happy with my long run and I’m not hitting the stumps anymore.
“In an ideal world I’d have cemented my spot, but I’ve got to put down a marker in this game to play in the Test.”
Finn said he had worked hard on improving his run-up which had caught him running too close to the stumps and occasionally clipping the bails – twice costing a wicket in Test cricket.
But the 201cm right-armer said he was confident he had put that problem with his delivery stride behind him.
Wicketkeeper Matt Prior has been ruled out of the clash with a calf injury with Jonny Bairstow to take his spot behind the stumps.
A decision on the fitness of Kevin Pietersen, who is battling a knee injury, will likely be made later on Tuesday.
