Finn four-for presses Test case

Steven Finn gave his chances of playing in the first Test a significant boost as he took four early wickets before England's bowlers capped off an encouraging day by reducing Pakistan A to 192 for 12. With the teams having agreed to spend a day each in the field, several of the Pakistan A side batted twice as a much-changed England attack got a good workout.

Finn appeared to be behind Mark Wood in the running to support James Anderson and Stuart Broad but he impressed during two penetrative spells that yielded figures of 11-7-5-4. Wood had been given the first opportunity in the two-day game earlier in the week but was rested this time, alongside Anderson and Broad.

Although Finn and Wood played two Tests together at the end of the Ashes, one will have to make way due to Anderson's return from injury. Given the sapping conditions, having both in form will not be to England's disadvantage.

This was a more responsive surface than the one on which Pakistan A made 216 for 5 on Tuesday and Finn's pace helped reduce them to 73 for 6 before a 93-run stand between Umar Amin and Adnan Akmal brought some respectability to what was soon to become a rather confusing scorecard.