Finn ruled out of Ashes with knee injury

Steven Finn has been ruled out of the Ashes series after tearing cartilage in his left knee, England announced on Tuesday (November 7). Finn suffered the injury in the nets in Perth last week but things have not improved as England's medical team had hoped and a decision has been made to send him home.

Finn will return to the UK in the next two days and will consult a specialist to find out whether an operation is required. England will announce a replacement for the Middlesex seamer in due course. Liam Plunkett, currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, is a front runner to be selected given his experience and strong form in limited-overs cricket for England over the past year although he has played just two first-class matches in 2017.

Other candidates include Mark Wood, who will be heading out to Australia next week for the Lions training camp, but concerns about his fitness may persuade the selectors to look elsewhere. Surrey's Tom Curran, who made his international debut in limited overs cricket during the summer, could also be considered as could Middlesex youngster Tom Helm. Jamie Porter of Essex would have been a strong contender given his 75 Championship wickets last season but he is currently injured.

There is also, of course, Ben Stokes. Finn was not included in the original squad but was added following the incident in Bristol in September involving Stokes which ruled England's vice-captain out of the early stages of the tour. Although Stokes has not yet been charged, the police investigation is ongoing and there is also an ECB disciplinary process to be followed. He will not join the tour until those processes are completed which means it is unlikely he will be named as Finn's replacement.

It is a huge blow for Finn who had an opportunity to resurrect his Test career following more than a year out of England's team. His returns over the past four years, during which he has only played 13 Tests, have been inconsistent but his attributes - decent pace and the ability to generate steepling bounce - would have been well suited to Australian conditions. He also has plenty of experience of Australia having toured here twice previously.

Finn's absence leaves Jake Ball and Craig Overton to fight it out for the fourth seamer's spot for the first Test, behind James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes. Both have been given a chance to impress by being named in England's team for the four-day day-night warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide which begins on Wednesday (November 8). Stuart Broad has been rested for that match and Dawid Malan has got the nod at number five, ahead of Gary Ballance.