England paceman Steven Finn: I had to go back to the drawing board

England paceman Steven Finn said he had to make adjustments to earn his spot back in the Test team, but is excited by the Ashes success.

Finn, 26, played his first Test in two years in July, taking eight wickets at Edgbaston as England overcame Australia to take a 2-1 series lead.

He grabbed a wicket in the fourth Test as the hosts reclaimed the urn.

Finn said changes had to be made for him to earn his place back in the Test team, and he is just a wicket away from his 100th in the five-day format.

"It's been two years since I've played Test cricket, I've had to go back to the drawing board somewhat," he told Omnisport.

"It's been exciting. It's been frustrating at times but also exciting to be able to come back into this team, which is such an exciting team, and see all the looks on those guys' faces when we're doing well and winning games makes it all worthwhile."

Finn has taken 99 Test wickets ahead of the fifth Test, which starts at The Oval on Thursday, at an average of 28.54.

He said it was a motivation of his to reach the ton.

"I think milestones motivate everyone. You want to take those wickets, if you're taking wickets you're contributing to the team's effort of winning games," Finn said.

"When you sit back and look at the end of your career you could be happy with the wickets you've taken but at the moment the milestones are there, they're exciting but the most important thing is winning games of cricket."

Finn said he would only be able to truly enjoy the Ashes success at the end of the series.

"I don't think it's quite sunk in. I don't think anything will sink in until the end of the series and the urn has been lifted and we've got through the final game," he said.

"I think at the moment we enjoyed it for a couple of days after Trent Bridge as we should have done, and then it was focusing on the next Test match.

"I think everything will sink in after the series and when everything settles down a little bit."