« Back to article

Print this article

'We can come back and win this series'

England pacer Steven Finn put up a brave front in the face of adversity, saying the visitors are confident of turning things around in the five-match ODI series against India, despite trailing 0-2.

Whitewashed in all formats of the game in England earlier this summer, India came out like a wounded tiger in the return series, billed as 'Payback series', and defeated Alastair Cook's men with consummate ease in the first two ODIs in Hyderabad (by 126 runs) and Delhi (by eight wickets).

'We are confident that we can win these three games'

But the lanky fast bowler issued a warning, saying it would be a big mistake to count them off just yet.

"India played well in the last couple of games. We were probably outplayed. We are 0-2 down in the series. We were in the same position against Sri Lanka earlier this summer, but we came back to win the series 3-2. So there is belief in the camp that we can come back and win this series," Finn said, ahead the third ODI between the two sides at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Thursday.

"We have nothing to lose. We are playing against the World champions in their own conditions. These next three games we will leave nothing in the dressing room. We have full belief that we can win these three games.

"We are confident that we can win these three games. We have been outplayed in the last two games but they are gone, they are past now," he added.

'Wicket looks encouraging from the seamers' point of view

Finn also admitted that his eyes lit up after he saw the grass on offer at the Mohali track, and believed Thursday's match is England's best chance of forcing a comeback.

"Obviously the wicket might change for tomorrow, but it looks quite encouraging from the seamers' point of view. There is grass on the wicket but it doesn't necessarily mean it will be a bowling-friendly wicket. What we have to do is land the ball on good length and that's going to be our focus," he said.

"We need to re-look to attack with the new ball. That's the way we have done in the first two games and we created a few opportunities," the 22-year-old Middlesex pacer added.

'India have more exposure to these conditions'

Finn felt that except for better knowledge of the conditions, there is hardly any difference between the two sides in the ongoing series.

"There is no real major difference. India probably had the better knowledge of the conditions. (More or less) the same team is playing against each other. India probably have more exposure to these conditions.

"When we were preparing [for the series] we were aware that the conditions were going to be different. The challenge is not to think about the conditions," he said.

'I am feeling good rhythm at the moment'

On his maiden visit to India, Finn said this tour will improve him as a bowler.

"I am feeling good rhythm at the moment and it would be nice to take a few wickets tomorrow if I am playing. As a bowler the more experience and exposure I get in foreign conditions, it would be better for my career," he viewed.

He said notwithstanding the heavy defeats, England's bowlers created a lot of opportunities in the first two ODIs.

"We were obviously frustrated. We could have got (Virat) Kohli and (Gautam) Gambhir out early on in their innings (in Delhi).

"We created chances but they came through and played really well. But the positive for us is that everyone is sticking together."