Finch set for England duty

Harry Finch is part of a 14-man England under-19 squad set to contest a tri-series of 50-over games against their Pakistan and Bangladesh counterparts.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. We’ve got the new kit, and it’s great to see your name and number.”

The England squad arrived at Loughborough on Monday and held their first training session the following day. A practice match against an invitation XI has been arranged for today (Friday) and the series starts against Pakistan at Sleaford on Tuesday.

England will play Pakistan and Bangladesh three times before the televised final on August 19. Other venues being used for the series are Leicester, Worcester and Derby.

The tri-series has been arranged to provide important preparation for the squad ahead of next winter’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

“We’re quite a confident group and I think we would fancy ourselves in home conditions,” continued Finch. “Obviously the conditions are going to be quite alien to them.”

Finch says he feels like “a different player” since playing for England under-19s in South Africa during the winter. The 18-year-old is likely to bat at number three or four and operate as the fourth seam bowler.

He will miss Priory’s next few matches, including the Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup final against Eastbourne which he was keen to play in. Finch scored 124 for Priory against Cuckfield last weekend.