Steve Finn says the chance to face England in the Stanford Super Series could give a boost to his future international hopes.
The Watford fast bowler has been selected as part of Middlesex’s 15-man squad and travelled out to Antigua on Sunday. The Crusaders face three matches starting with England on Sunday night, before taking on Trinidad and Tobago in a money-spinner, with $180,000 up for grabs, the following day.
Middlesex complete their tour with a game against Stanford Superstars next Thursday. They earned the lucrative trip after a sensational Twenty20 triumph at the Rose Bowl in July. It also means they will take part in the Champions League in India, with the draw announced today, in December.
The giant bowler said: “It’s fantastic, it will be a great experience for me as a 19-year-old playing in Antigua against England and Trinidad and Tobago. It’s great to be named in the squad and it’s an honour to be representing Middlesex out there. It will be a challenge but it’s the shop window for me and some of the other boys.
“It’s a massive stage for me as a young cricketer coming up through the Under-19's in my first full season. Every game is going to be a massive showcase. Financially, the Trinidad match is the biggest one but the press are making more of that than ourselves. No one really talks about the money.”
Finn admits it has been a dream season for him and the club after their first major trophy for 15 years. But the talented youngster says they will not look too far ahead to the hotly-anticipated Champions League until the Stanford trip is out the way.
He said: “It’s a dream first season and it’s brilliant the club won some silverware for the first time in 15 years but for me I’m always looking to improve my game.
“We’re focused on the Stanford tournament. We have to prepare as well as we can for those three games and then when we come back we can start preparation for the Champions League.
“We are out there to do our jobs and win a game of cricket. That’s what we’re paid to do and that’s what we’re going to do. Our focus is on winning these matches no matter who it is against.
“The travelling and staying away from home can be tough at times but it comes hand in hand with the job. If you want to play international cricket you’re going to be away from home. There will be a great atmosphere out there.
“We spoke about taking each game as it comes. At the end of the day it’s just a Twenty20 cricket game. The biggest occasion I have played in so far has been the Twenty20 quarter-final. Everyone gets nerves but generally once I’m on the field I’m normally fine.”
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