STEVEN FINN! 

England fast bowler!

You’re involved in a Junior Journo competition. Tell us about that…

Basically it’s a way of getting youngsters involved in cricket. It’s offering kids the opportunity to watch cricket and write a report on the games in the Clydesdale Bank 40. The winner gets the opportunity to come to Lords and watch the final, write a report, and get to meet some of the players and hang about in the press box.

Is it right you were a budding journalist yourself before you started playing cricket?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, I still keep a diary all about cricket. I did it a lot more when I was younger but I’ve lost touch a little bit since playing cricket but it’s still something I enjoy doing.

It’s a big summer for England – what are your predictions?

I think England will do very well. It’s hard to predict series’ but I think England have a strong position. We obviously want to win all the one-day test series and I think we’re good enough to do that.

What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you during a match?

Ha-ha! There’s not too many witty people in cricket! Graeme Swann gives me a bit of stick during matches. We’ve been friends for a while so he gives me stick about having a big nose which makes me laugh. Any of my England teammates I come up against always give me stick about my big nose actually!

What’s the banter like with Swann?  Is he the joker?

Yeah he is. It’s a good to laugh with him and at him so he’s good to have in the dressing room. Having someone like that around always helps as he’s always up for a laugh.

What advice would you give young cricketers?

Enjoy it. That’s the main thing; it can be quite a frustrating game at times. I’m lucky that I’m playing cricket with some good mates. We’re basically friends that go out and happen to play cricket together. When we’re on tour we do lots of stuff that a normal group of friends would do, it’s like being back at school in away.

Do you play practical jokes in the dressing room?

Yeah people cut the ends off people’s socks all the time. Underpants get ripped a lot as well so when you put them on and pull them up they go right up to your nipples!

Is Jimmy Anderson as vain as people say he is?

Yeah! Jimmy carries around a mirror in his wallet. So, he’s always looking at himself. Plus he’s got a load of hair product in his car at all times.

Is Tim Bresnan as daft as he seems?

He’s as daft as he seems and as daft as he looks, yeah! He is as daft as they come, he’s not the most blessed but he’s a lovely bloke and very funny. A lot of the jokes are at his expense though.

Can you tell us a secret about an England teammate?

Graeme Swann wears pink cycling shorts when he plays cricket.

Steven Finn spoke at the launch of the Clydesdale Bank 40 Junior Journo competition at Lord’s. Visit www.ecb.co.uk/juniorjourno <http://www.ecb.co.uk/juniorjourno> for more information. The Clydesdale Bank 40 competition starts Friday 4th May.