Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HE COULD BE FINN FOR ASHES
STEVEN FINN looks set for a Test return when England announce their Ashes squad on Wednesday.
His recall follows the news that a back injury has ruled devastated Toby Roland-Jones out of this winter’s tour of Australia.
The fast bowler’s eight-wicket haul, which secured Middlesex’s County Championship win against Lancashire last week, was timely given it came so close to the squad announcement. Roland-Jones was a certainty to be taken to Australia after a fine start to his Test career this summer, with the 29-year-old taking 17 wickets in his first four Tests, at an average of 19.64. But his injury has now opened the door to his Middlesex team-mate Finn, who will battle it out with Jake Ball for the final bowling spot in what is expected to be a 16-man Ashes squad. Finn has not played Test cricket for 11 months. But the 28-year-old’s greater experience, including two previous tours of Australia, means he is likely to get the nod.
Roland-Jones has not officially been ruled out of the Ashes by England. Yet the fact he will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks with a stress fracture of the lower back means he will not be considered. England’s selectors are not expected to include any surprises.
There is likely to be a recall for Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance (left), whose broken finger restricted him to just two Tests against South Africa this summer.
Ballance looks likely to compete for the No.3 position in the Ashes with Essex’s Tom Westley, who is also expected to be included despite a disappointing end to the Test summer against West Indies.