It's too soon to call Finn the next McGrath
Steven Finn’s fine performance in the first Test against Bangladesh has drawn comparisons to Glenn McGrath, helped no doubt by Finn’s own assertion that he wants to emulate the Aussie great
Tariq Engineer
25-Feb-2013
Steven Finn’s fine performance in the first Test against Bangladesh has drawn comparisons to Glenn McGrath, helped no doubt by Finn’s own assertion that he wants to emulate the Aussie great. In the Independent Angus Fraser calls for a little perspective, saying Finn is no doubt a great prospect, but comparisons to McGrath are premature.
Nobody should underestimate the potential of Finn, who left Lord's for Old Trafford with the fine match figures of 9 for 187, but McGrath's record – 563 wickets at an average of 21.64 – is outstanding. McGrath's ability to take wickets on any continent, against any batsman and on any type of pitch is there in the history books for everyone to see. His record for Australia is phenomenal and he performed almost day in, day out for a period of more than 10 years. As Steven told me when I spoke to him yesterday afternoon, he is now only the small matter of 550 Test wickets away from emulating one of his heroes.
Tariq Engineer is a former senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo