James Anderson has spoken of his delight at seeing Steven Finn’s hard work come to fruition at the Gabba yesterday.
The 25-year-old set up England’s bonus-point victory by returning figures of 5-33, his maiden one-day international five-wicket haul, as India were dismissed for just 153 after winning the toss.
A year on from his troubles in Australia, the paceman appeared to have regained his confidence by using his extra pace and bounce to his advantage.
Finn removed Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu in consecutive overs in his opening spell before returning to dismiss Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Akshar Patel in successive balls.
Anderson, who cleaned up the tail to take 4-18, was quick to heap praise on Finn but knows the hard work does not stop there.
“We have worked together a reasonable amount this tour so far,” Anderson said.
“He has worked so hard off the field trying to get himself back to the form we know he can produce. Everyone was delighted for him yesterday; it was a fantastic performance from him.
“But, saying that, he is a very humble and honest guy and knows it is just one performance and he has got a lot of hard work to try and keep improving on that."
Some tired bowlers this morning but still managing a smile! #fastbowlersunionhttp://t.co/RFsieSLF8h
— James Anderson (@jimmy9) January 20, 2015
It was not just Finn who showed signs of improvement yesterday. England, beaten by Australia in their opening match of the tournament, bounced back impressively to boost their hopes of reaching the final.
After Finn and Anderson excelled with the ball, Eoin Morgan’s side made little work of their run-chase.
Ian Bell and James Taylor, with ducks in the defeat to the hosts last week, made an unbeaten 88 and 56 not out respectively in a second-wicket stand of 131 to take England home inside 28 overs.
Anderson hopes England can build on the performance in their next outing, a re-match against Australia on Friday.
The 32-year-old said: “It was huge for us. We are still developing as a team. There is a lot of belief in the dressing room.
“We know we have got a huge amount of talent and enough talent to upset teams like we did yesterday and beat the best in the world. Going into a World Cup you want to be in some decent form.
“Yesterday was a great performance, but it is one game and we know we have got a lot of improving to do and a lot of hard work to come.
“We are going to start that at practice and hopefully continue the good performances on the field on Friday.”
We have just caught up with @jimmy9 at the team's base in Hobart. Look out for interview on @ECB_cricket #triseries pic.twitter.com/ERWG0xK4K8
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) January 21, 2015
Yesterday's victory over the world champions saw Anderson make his return to competitive action for England following a knee problem, having missed the Australia defeat as a precaution.
The Lancastrian formed an impressive new-ball partnership with Chris Woakes and never looked like he had been away, conceding no runs from his first two overs and taking the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan.
Anderson then claimed three scalps in eight balls to wrap up the India innings in the 40th over.
He added: “It couldn’t have gone much better really. I was just happy to get a game under my belt, a competitive game under my belt, and come through it unscathed.
“I’m delighted to be back in the team and the wickets were a bonus. I’ve not had any issues with that (knee) for a while now; it’s just everything else seems to stiffen up and niggles crop up.
“But I feel strong at the minute and just to get through yesterday was really good for me.
“Forty-odd overs in the field is another bit of progress and hopefully I can get through a full 50 on Friday.”