Finn has been working hard to eradicate the problem

England pace bowler Steven Finn has become infamous for knocking down the stumps at the non-strikers end with his knee when bowling, which has cost him wickets in the past, but the lanky seamer insists that he is well past the phase.

The first instance where Finn was denied a wicket was during England’s Test series against South Africa last summer.

Proteas captain Graeme Smith had edged the ball to the slips during the second Test in Headingley, but complained to the on-field umpire that Finn’s habit of knocking over the stumps had become extremely distracting.

More recently, Finn was denied the wicket of Indian batsman Suresh Raina in an ODI series after he also edged the delivery to the slips, but the on-field umpires called a dead ball since Finn had knocked over the stumps with his knee.

From now on, Finn will receive a warning from the umpires before they start calling dead balls on deliveries that he happens to knock over the stumps.

In an attempt to stop having wickets taken away from him, Finn has been working hard to break this ungodly habit with England bowling coach David Saker.

“It’s getting there, getting better … and it’ll be gone soon,” Finn said. “It’s not something that can preoccupy my mind in the game, because I can’t allow it to. But every day in training I’m working hard on trying to eradicate it.

“I have been for the last four months. It’s something that’s obviously going to have to improve, and it is. I’m trying different things, and out in the game it’s not happening as frequently as it used to. So I hope there will be a stage where it’s completely eradicated.”

Finn has been given numerous tips on how to counter the problem, everything from shortening his run-up to jumping wider of the crease.

While these tips may not do much good for Finn, the lanky bowler admitted that he was finding it difficult to change his bowling action since he has become accustomed to it after years of practice.

“I’ve got the marker, where I jump from, and I’m trying to jump in a straighter line,” he said. “But the amount of cricket we play, I haven’t had too much time to actually go away and spend a lot of time working on it.

“You let it occupy your mind in practice. But when you’re out there on the field, there’s only one thing that matters – and that’s getting the person out at the other end. When I’m out there in the middle, it’s not in my mind at all.”

With England currently embroiled in a heated battle with New Zealand, many of the Black Cap players spoke of their own views towards Finn’s unorthodox habit.

New Zealand pace bowler Ian Butler believes Finn’s knocking over of the stumps does not distract batsmen, while captain Brendon McCullum revealed it to be slightly off-putting.

“The rule has been laid down,” McCullum said. “I’m sure it will continue to be assessed as we go along.

“It can be slightly distracting. It’s not ideal – and I’m sure, knowing Finny, he is trying to improve that aspect of his performance.”