Watford's Steve Finn strengthened his claim for a place in England's team for the first Ashes test against Australia with five wickets in the final warm-up match in Sydney.

Finn endured a mixed performance on day one of the game, taking two for 79, but he bounced back on day two to claim three more scalps and finish with figures of 103 for five.

Finn's 28.4 overs included four maidens.

The paceman's contribution helped dismiss the Invitational XI for 304 and England closed the second day on 302 for five thanks to good scores from Alastair Cook (81), Jonathan Trott (83) and Kevin Pietersen (57).

England are thought to be undecided on who will be their third seamer for the first test in Brisbane and Finn's five wickets will do his case no harm as he looks to shake off competition from Chris Tremlett and Boyd Rankin.

Finn, who has played 23 tests, would perhaps take added satisfaction from selection given Australia captain Michael Clarke this week predicted England's team for the first test and left out the Watford man.

The first Ashes test is at The Gabba on November 21.

Meanwhile Finn has prompted a change to the rules in English domestic cricket as a new regulation means a bowler who breaks the stumps in their delivery stride will have bowled a no-ball.

Previously, a dead-ball was called only if the bails at the non-striker's end were knocked off by the bowler.

Finn, who has a particularly straight run-up, was regularly affected by the previous rule which was changed for international matches in April but will be adopted by the England & Wales Cricket Board in 2014.