Steven Finn stakes claim for Test berth with impressive showing against Pakistan A

Steven Finn enhanced his chances of featuring for England in their opening Test against Pakistan next week after impressing during day one of the second warm-up match in Sharjah. The Middlesex seamer is facing a difficult battle with Mark Wood for the last bowling spot – with James Anderson and Stuart Broad assured of their places and Trevor Bayliss set to deploy two frontline spinners in Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid – but rose to the occasion with aplomb as he took four wickets for just 16 runs.

"You don't want to use them all up in the practice games but nice to go out there – it took a couple of days to get the rust out of my system and then to go out there and take a few wickets and early wickets it felt good," the 26-year-old said at close of play in the United Arab Emirates.

"We've got three back-to-back Tests. I think it's a bit unrealistic that the same team is going to play in each Test. You just have to make sure when you're called upon you're game in order to be able to go out and perform."

Rashid took three wickets and Liam Plunkett and the returning Samit Patel each bagged a brace as Pakistan 'A' reached stumps on 192-12. Having initially been bowled out for 180, England permitted their opponents to bat on and complete a full day of 90 overs. The match is due to conclude tomorrow, with England opting to select Alex Hales and Ali as their opening batsmen as they seek to find a new partner for captain Alastair Cook before the first test of a three-match series begins at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 13 October. James Taylor will also have a chance to stake his claim for inclusion.