Five for Finn as England keep clean sheet over Bangladesh

LONDON: Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan sparked a dramatic Bangladesh collapse on the final day as England won by a convincing eight-wicket margin in the first Test at Lord’s to go 1-0 up in their two-match series. Bangladesh, following-on, lost their last five wickets for 35 runs and were bowled out for 382 with Middlesex fast bowler Finn taking five wickets for 87 runs in 24 overs.

That gave the 6ft 7in paceman, match figures of nine for 187 and the man of the match award. England, set 160 to win in two sessions, finished on 163 for two. England captain Andrew Strauss, in his first international match for several months, made 82 before he was out with England 13 runs short of victory. “In the first innings  Jonathan Trott played very well, we talked about getting big scores and he showed great temperament,” Strauss said.

“And Steven Finn bowled very well. He hit the deck hard and got more out of the pitch than anyone else.”

On the other hand, the 21-year-old Finn refused to get carried away. He said, “The only reason I played here is because Stuart Broad is being rested and, while I haven’t done myself any harm, I am not kidding myself,” he said.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was disappointed his side could not hold out for a draw. “We lost too may wickets in the morning session. If we had lost one or two we could have batted another hour or two after lunch and got a draw,” said Hasan.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2010.