• England in India 2012-13

Strauss: Finn can give England firepower

Steven Finn is ready to return for England © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Fit-again Finn expected to replace Broad
  
• News: Bell vows to improve India record
  
• News: England set to face another used pitch in third Test
  
• Features: Panesar learning to play to his strengths
  

Former England captain Andrew Strauss has championed the selection of Steven Finn for the third Test against India, which starts on Wednesday.

Finn missed the first two Tests due to a thigh injury but is available for selection after completing a nets session on Monday. The pace bowler also showed wicket-taking form in a recent England Performance Programme match against Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

England are locked at 1-1 with India and have been carrying vice-captain Stuart Broad, who has proved expensive so far in the series. Broad has 40 Test victims to his name in 2012, but Strauss can see the sense in introducing Finn for the out-of-form 26-year-old.

When asked what Finn would bring to the team, Strauss replied on Sky Sports News: "More impetus and more firepower.

"The seamers have all struggled a little bit out there so far, so maybe Steven can blast a couple of the wickets out."

Strauss was not prepared to criticise Broad, though, insisting England's long-term plan should be to stick him. Conditions in India, according to Strauss, do not make it easy for fast bowlers to play their way into form.

"These other seamers have done their job," he said. "They've stuck at it in difficult conditions and you're not really expecting your seam bowlers to get five or six wickets over there. Their job is to hold up an end, hopefully get one or two out and then the spinners will do the majority of the work.

"Only the guys in the England setup know how [Broad's] confidence levels are, how it's coming out in the nets. It's for them to make the call.

"I certainly know he's played a huge part in our success over the years and he will continue to do so in the future I think."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.