Ashes blow as Finn ruled out of series
SYDNEY: England fast bowler Steven Finn has been ruled out of the Ashes series against Australia after scans showed he has torn his left knee cartilage, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday.
The 28-year-old quick, a 201011 and 2013-14 Ashes tourist, missed the opening tour match in Perth after sustaining the injury in practice last week.
“...(Finn) will now return to the UK in the next 48 hours where he will meet a knee specialist to ascertain whether he will have an operation,” the ECB said in a statement, adding the board will announce a replacement later.
All-rounder Moeen Ali (side strain), is on track to be available for a return to action in the warmup game in Townsville starting on November 15.
Finn was added to the squad as a replacement for Ben Stokes after the all-rounder was suspended following his arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm outside a Bristol nightclub.
England coach Trevor Bayliss responded to reports that said Stokes would soon face an ECB disciplinary hearing and could join the squad in time for the third Test. “If we concentrate on that... that might take the focus off what we’re trying to achieve so we have just been going about preparing.
“If he happens to turn up at some stage, it’s a bonus.”
The first Test starts in Brisbane on November 23. – Reuters