Finn not fussed about missed chances
England’s Steven Finn, the only player to take a wicket on the third day of his team’s Test against South Africa at Newlands, was not too concerned about the chances his men missed on what turned out to be a very long day in the field.
Finn accounted for the wicket of AB de Villiers (88) just before tea, but at that stage De Villiers had been put down twice while England also squandered an easy chance to get rid of Proteas captain Hashim Amla who will start the fourth day with his score on 157.
“It was a tricky day for the bowlers, obviously only taking one wicket in the day is not what we wanted, but I thought we stuck to our guns well and created a couple of chances,” Finn said.
“We changed our pace, our fields, our lengths suitably for the wicket and tried to make and create something.”
As for the chances that were missed, Finn explained that it was very difficult for fielders to pick-up the ball between the crowd, adding that they would look to solve that problem in the opening session of day 4.
“There were chances for us to get wickets, which we didn’t take, but we are still ahead of South Africa in terms of the game and with a good session tomorrow morning, who knows what can happen?”
“They were tricky chances. It is not easy to see the ball here, the ground and the crowd is pretty much in line from where the ball comes.
“No one intends to drop catches. Obviously we are disappointed that they weren’t taken, but hopefully we will come back tomorrow and take them.”
While admitting that the pitch had become slower than what it was on the first day, Finn insisted that if England’s bowling unit continues to stick to their guns, there is no reason why the match has to end in a draw.
“We need to keep trying to force mistakes, keep trying to play attritional cricket and I think we have done that so far.”
ANA
(File photo)