Win over Indian supporters to win the test series in India – Finn.
Win over Indian supporters to win the test series in India – Finn
Winning over the crowds is a key component of success in India. So says Steven Finn, a member of the final squad that went there and won the series in 2012.
England heads to India on Sunday, trying to repeat that feat. Which remains one of the team’s most spectacular triumphs in history.
Head coach Andy Flower and newly chosen skipper Alastair Cook’s planning. And execution enabled the visitors overcome a setback in the first Test to win 2-1.
Thanks mostly to spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. India has won all 16 home series since.
While England’s current squad lacks world-class spinners. The team led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes is based on a strong foundation of trust and transparency.
Since joining forces, England has not lost a series, winning 13 of 19 Tests despite employing an attacking style.
Finn believes the latter will be key to England’s chances over the next eight weeks. As it will be their most tough challenge.
The recently departed fast played one Test in the 2012 series, the last match in Kolkata. Which England won by seven wickets to take a 2-1 lead.
But witnessed firsthand how the team’s popularity increased among home supporters
The visiting group includes a number of household names, notably the five (Stokes, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow, and Harry Brook) who have recently played in the Indian Premier League.
Finn feels that if they are at their most entertaining, they will acquire supporters and possibly convert a devoted fan base against their own club.
“I think the IPL superstardom of some of the players will count to England’s benefit,” Finn said in a statement. “Aside from Kevin Pietersen, that 2012 group lacked many superstars in India.
However, this time around, there are many men who have played in the IPL and are considered superstars. I suppose this will suffice.
“One of the motivations for the three most memorable tours I’ve been on, India 2012, Australia 2010-11, and South Africa 2016, was to try to turn the opposition public against their own team.”
That is a significant advantage for you, and having Stokes and McCullum at the helm gives England the opportunity to do so.
Finn also advised James Anderson to overcome a difficult Ashes series and reclaim his form after taking only five wickets for 85.40 last summer.
At 41, an unexpectedly poor home season raised the issue of whether Test cricket’s third-highest wicket-taker was nearing the end of his career.
Anderson has a solid record in India, with 34 wickets at 29.32, 12 of which came during the 2012 tour.
And, as Anderson prepares for his sixth tour to India, Finn, who has 27 of his 36 caps with Anderson, feels he is still essential to England’s chances.
Finn suggests the second Test at Mumbai, which England won by 10 wickets to level the series.
Specifically, how England gained an 86-run lead in the first innings after India scored 327.
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