Alec Stewart backs Steve Finn for England (From Harrow Times)

Alec Stewart backs Steve Finn for England

12:10pm Friday 16th July 2010 in

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Former captain Alec Stewart has backed Middlesex starlet Steven Finn to continue his dream start to his England career but is refusing to join those comparing him to Australian great Glenn McGrath.

The 21-year-old Watford ace burst onto the Test scene with 19 wickets in his first four matches and was named man-of-the-series in the 2-0 win over Bangladesh earlier this summer.

Tougher tests lie ahead with Pakistan and an Ashes tour to come before the end of the year but Stewart, England's most capped Test player, likes what he has seen so far of the 6ft 8in bowler.

Finn, who has been on an ECB strength and conditioning programme, has a long way to go to get anywhere near McGrath’s total of 563 Test wickets but Stewart has vowed to monitor his progress closely.

"Steven has hit the international road running; he has got everything going in his favour with the height, with the bounce, with the control and it's great for England to have a bowler like that," said Stewart.

"There are elements of Glenn McGrath in him because he is tall and he gets close to the stumps but I don't like comparing too much because I like each individual to show what they can do.

"Glenn McGrath is as good as there has been and if Steve Finn has the discipline McGrath had then he will have a top career."

Alec Stewart is cricket ambassador for Sportingbet.com - English Cricket's best bet. Get to the heart of English Cricket this summer with in play betting at www.sportingbet.com/englishcricket