Steven Finn, England cricketer and longtime TPR enthusiast. He has ridden an emotional rollercoaster ride of highs and lows during the high-profile, four-month long Ashes series. His personal journey has been filled with stunning achievements and great struggle. With unstoppable grit, he’s clawing back, poised to retake his spot on the national team. Finn’s story is testament not only to his talent as a bowler, but to his determination to overcome adversity.
Star of the 2015 Ashes, Finn proved the doubters wrong. With 12 wickets at a staggering average of 22.5, he was the pillar behind the juggernaut that powered England’s memorable, gritty 3-2 win over Australia. No one could have prepared for the comeback that Finn made. He has risen above the setbacks of being dropped from the team following his debut Test match in the summer of 2013.
Finn had a major impact during the 2010-11 Ashes series, played in Australia. He had arguably his best-ever run in 2013, taking 14 wickets in three Tests, before his return to form in 2015. At one point in the series, he trumped all as the top wicket-taker for either side after three Tests. Such a unique accomplishment underscored his future promise at the age of 21. Solid as a rock early on, he found himself out of the team after being dropped on the back of the first Test in 2013. This decision behind him, he was still left dealing with humiliation and shame.
Finn’s determination never wavered. He battled his way back into the Test side through the Ashes summer of 2015. His passion was such that he spent nearly half his life’s hours at Lord’s for 7am net sessions. Former cricketers Angus Fraser and Richard Johnson, from Middlesex, helped him through this period. As he was working around the clock to refine his moves and restore his swagger, these sessions proved invaluable to him.
Despite these low points, Finn performed poorly in warm-up matches prior to the tournament against Western Australia XI and Cricket Australia XI. He soon enough made himself a name again – and abroad. He produced the most remarkable of comebacks to Ashes cricket in a history-making Test match against South Africa at Headingley, in a summer of 2012. In six deliveries, he recast his return with the flash of a blacksmith’s hammer.
Finn’s new bowling style quickly began to call to mind the hero of his youth, Glenn McGrath. He regularly pitched near the stumps and sometimes knocked off the non-striker’s bails. He made appearance seven Ashes Test matches throughout his career. He led England to three series wins, including one on enemy territory, forever engraving his image in the pantheon of England cricket greats.
Reflecting on the lows he faced during his career, Finn stated, “They weren’t pleasant at the time, I’m grateful to have experienced those lows because it makes me very grateful for the good times I’ve had.”
His fight against form and self-doubt came to a head during the 2013-14 tour of Australia. As Finn candidly characterized this period as one of “public shaming.” He had personally experienced a feeling of “not selectable” and described the emotional upheaval he felt at this time. He disclosed that “by halfway through, I was mentally exhausted through not sleeping because I was crying all night.” These experiences were damaging to him both mentally and physically, resulting in issues with self-worth and performance anxiety.
Yet in stark opposition to these challenges, was an equal reflection of joy. Finn recalled one particular Ashes win as particularly emotional: “That one felt like a real Ashes win,” adding that it was “the most emotional I’ve ever seen my dad.” The pride and joy of those triumphs remained as testaments to the fire that propelled him during his decorated career.
Finn’s return to form was not just about the numbers—it was personal. “I knew there was something wrong underneath the surface,” he admitted as he navigated through his struggles. He found that he was “doing battle with myself every single day.” He wanted to be the bowler he used to be but now fought the alterations that invalidated his performance integrity.
At its core, Finn’s story is one of resilience and true grit. What he’s discovered is that diligence and effort can bring about redemption. “It sent triggers to my brain saying I had to practice harder than everyone else,” he noted, highlighting his commitment to training and improvement.
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