Steven Finn believes the Australian media’s decision to ‘provoke’ England captain Ben Stokes could backfire on the Ashes.
Stokes’ arrival in Perth this week was met with jokes on the front page of the Western Australian newspaper, which dubbed him ‘Cocky Captain Complainer’ and called his team’s methods ‘dopey’.
It continues a long-running tradition of the local press focusing on the England side, with the now retired Stuart Broad a favorite target on previous trips, but Finn believes such slings and arrows will only bring out the best in embattled Stokes.
Finn, who was part of England’s last success Down Under in 2010/11 and has written a new book, ‘The Ashes Files’, about his battle against the old enemy, told the PA news agency: ‘I think Ben Stokes flourishes when he has a point to prove.
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Provoke
“You know, there are players you really don’t want to provoke because it makes them even better and even more determined. He falls into that category.”
“I saw him a few weeks ago and you could see behind his eyes that he sees the meaning of this tour. This leadership will not be timid or meek.”
“You have [to] be wary because the Australian press wants to trip you up and find chinks in your armor, but if you’re sensible and respectful I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t take on the challenge of playing cricket there.
(PA)
Public heat
Inspired by his own triumphant journey 15 years ago, Finn even believes England are capable of directing the public heat back to the hosts if they achieve early success.
He added: “When I first went out there I was surprised by the extent to which it was ‘you versus us’.
“When you got off the plane it was TV cameras in your face, paparazzi outside the hotel, taxi drivers saying, ‘You’re useless, you’re going to get hammered.’
“But Australians respect people who win. If you puff your chest like we did in 2010/11 and push back, it can swing the other way.
“By the time we had bowled them out for 98 on Boxing Day they really turned on Australia and it almost felt like they were supporting us.
“That’s the challenge and it feels like something that Stokes and (head coach) Brendon McCullum could do.”
(Ben Whitley/PA)
Personal fear
Finn’s new memoir reflects his personal pain at being left out of the Boxing Day Test despite taking 14 wickets in the first three matches – a decision he has largely made peace with in retirement.
Whether the current regime would make the same call, given their attraction to risk and their focus on attacking cricket, is open to debate.
“You beat yourself up over it and there is still a feeling of missed opportunities, but it was the right decision,” he said.
“Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss (then coach and captain) were about controlling the game and controlling the scoreboard.
“It was about marginal wins in the Test match, which suited the players we had and helped us win big.
“But Stokesy and Brendon like to remove the guardrails, they want you to go out without inhibitions and that gives people the opportunity to express themselves and be their true selves.
“Ashes series, and in particular the Ashes series, can be career-defining moments and even life-defining moments.
“When I look at some of the characters we have in the squad, there is a real sense of excitement and opportunity.”
The Ashes Files: My Pride and Pain in Cricket’s Most Intense Series by Steven Finn is out now and available wherever you buy your books (£25.00, hardcover).
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