Broad praise for 'fantastic' Finn (From Watford Observer)

England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad hails Steve Finn's performances

10:36am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor

Steve Finn. Picture: Action Images

Steve Finn’s performances in the World Twenty20 were described as “fantastic” by Stuart Broad after the defending champions relinquished their grip on the trophy.

The holders needed to beat Sri Lanka in their last Super Eights game yesterday to reach the semi-finals but came up 19 runs short of the hosts’ target of 169 for six.

The Watford-born bowler finished unbeaten on one as his side closed on 150 for nine, having earlier claimed one for 23 from his four permitted overs.

Reflecting on England’s exit from the competition, skipper Broad said: “Our fielding hasn’t been as good as it could have been, our death bowling let us down on the odd occasion and early wickets have hurt us.

“We lost three wickets in an over today which really damaged us, but we have to look at the positives, too. Samit (Patel) played an excellent knock [67 off 48 balls], certainly against the spin, and Steven Finn’s been fantastic for us in this tournament.”

Finn played in all of England’s five matches in the tournament, claiming at least one wicket on each occasion and taking career-best international Twenty20 figures of three for 16 in Saturday’s six-wicket win over New Zealand.