Finn stars as England wrap up series win
MAN of the series Steven Finn snared five wickets as England wrapped up an emphatic victory over Bangladesh – and then insisted he had been the team’s worst bowler.
Finn’s haul of 5-42 came as England extinguished the tourists’ second innings for 123 runs inside a single session, having enforced the follow-on at Old Trafford.
The innings-and-80-run victory gave Andrew Strauss’s men a 2-0 series triumph, with two days to spare and despite rain delaying the start of play yesterday.
And it capped a personal triumph for 6ft 8in Middlesex star Finn, who took six wickets in the second Test overall and a total of 15 across the two matches.
Yet the emerging talent, 21, playing in only his second Test series, was in no mood to rest on his laurels, insisting he had been fortunate to get such a haul.
“The other guys bowled a lot better than me but luckily it was me that took the wickets,” said Finn.
“I bowled better at Lord’s and there are a lot of areas to improve – going at more than four an over is not ideal really in a Test match.
“It’s about putting the right amount of balls in the right areas. I’ve bowled too many four balls and been a bit loose at times.
“It’s been very challenging. It’s easy to cope mentally when you are winning but physically two Tests take it out of you, the intensity of it.”
Bangladesh followed on 203 runs behind and were instantly on the rack, James Anderson making the most of seam-friendly conditions to dismiss Tigers dangerman Tamim Iqbal.
The tourists quickly collapsed to 39-6 and, although Mahmdullah delayed the inevitable with a colourful 38, England completed the job before tea.
Batsman Ian Bell took the man of the match award for smashing 128 in the hosts’ innings.