Finn returns to Abu Dhabi to push for inclusion in England squad

ABU DHABI // Steven Finn is out to prove a point once more in Abu Dhabi - where he first showed himself to be an England fast bowler of the future.

Finn was an uncapped 20 year old two years ago when he took two for 25 in his four overs as England Lions beat the national seniors in a last-ball Twenty20 finish at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Barely a month later, after a raft of injuries to first-choice seamers, he made his Test debut in Bangladesh.

The 6ft 8in seamer returns to the scene of that Lions triumph tomorrow as an established member of the squad, who will take on the second string in preparation for the four-match one-day international series against Pakistan.

"Friday's game is going to be important for everyone, on either of the two sides," he said. "There's a great opportunity for people on both sides to push for places in every format of the game."

Finn has endured a frustrating five weeks so far in the UAE, carrying the drinks in a Test series which saw his fellow bowlers perform well but to no avail, as batting collapses saw England, the world No 1 Test side, humbled by Pakistan.

"I'm getting very good at mixing drinks for the boys. I've sort of got used to it over the last 12 months," Finn said.

"But it's not the sort of thing you enjoy getting used to. Obviously, I want to play every game of cricket that's available for England. I hope, moving towards this one-day series, I'm going to get an opportunity to show what I can do.

"Obviously I wanted to play every game. I was disappointed that I didn't. But I just have to keep my head down in the nets, keep trying to show I'm ready to play.

"Then, when I get my next opportunity, I hope I'll be able take it."