Gilchrist backs Finn for Ashes

Middlesex t20 signing Adam Gilchrist said: "I think the Aussies will be keeping an eye on him this summer because he will be suited to Australian conditions"

Adam Gilchrist believes Steven Finn has all the attributes to become a big success in this winter’s Ashes.

Finn has been hailed as an England’s next bowling sensation following his first home Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s last week, where he ended with match figures of 9-187.

With Stuart Broad being rested, and Tim Bresnan out through injury, 21-year-old Finn has a good chance of being handed the new ball by captain Andrew Strauss when play begins in the second Test at Old Trafford on Friday.

His pace, height and bounce have led critics to compare Finn with former England seamer Steve Harmison and even Australia legend Glenn McGrath.

Gilchrist, who will play alongside Finn in this summer’s Friends Provident T20 for Middlesex, has been impressed with his new team-mate’s progress at Test level, and admits he has the potential to play a pivotal role in England’s defence of the Ashes this winter.

“I think the Aussies will be keeping an eye on him this summer because he will be suited to Australian conditions,” said Gilchrist.

“I’ve only exchanged texts with him, I’ve not met him in person so I don’t know how tall he is but from watching him on TV, anyone coming from that height and with the stature he has will benefit in Australian conditions.

“In a couple of grounds especially where there is a lot of bounce it will be a nice benefit for England to have.

“I saw him play in Bangladesh on TV when I was in India. It’s a hard slog for everyone out there but the way he came out here at Lord’s and got nine wickets was no surprise with the style he bowls.

Steven Finn put himself on the international map with nine wickets in the first Test against Bangladesh

“He runs in and doesn’t try to do anything spectacular and often gets spectacular results. Glenn McGrath proved that’s possible.

“There’s a lot to happen between now and the Ashes and I hope for his sake he will be fit and in the team because if he is it will make it a bigger spectacle and a better event.”

Following last summer's Ashes win, England crashed to a damaging 6-1 defeat in the one-day series between the two sides and also lost to Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final.

However, under the leadership of Paul Collingwood, England regained bragging rights with a morale-boosting win over their old enemy in last month’s ICC World Twenty20 final in the Caribbean.

Gilchrist denies England’s Twenty20 win will have any bearing on the result of this winter’s Ashes in Australia, which he believes will be a lot more evenly-fought series than England’s 5-0 defeat down under in 20006/07.

“The win in the Twenty20 won’t matter at all come the Ashes,” said Gilchrist, who played 96 Tests for Australia.

“There’s so much time to play before the series starts. It’s great if you do win. You want to get in to the habit of that, of course, because it gives you belief but come day one at Brisbane no-one will be concerned about what happened in Barbados.

“Last summer’s Ashes was a nervous time for both teams,” he continued. “England did enough last year to win it but I predict a very evenly-fought contest this time.

“It will come down to bowling. Whoever has the fittest line-up on the park the longest will get the result.”