Dec 122012
 

Steven Finn took the final India wicket to fall, India v England, 3rd Test, Kolkata, 2nd day, December 6, 2012A scan has shown a minor disc injury in Steven Finn’s lower back and he was unable to take any part in training on Wednesday © BCCI
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Players/Officials: Steven Finn
Matches: India v England at Nagpur
Series/Tournaments: England tour of India

Steven Finn has emerged as a major injury doubt ahead of the fourth Test in Nagpur after suffering a back injury. Finn, who missed the first two Tests with a thigh strain, reported some soreness on the final day of the Kolkata Test. A scan has shown a minor disc injury in his lower back and he was unable to take any part in training on Wednesday.

While the England team management are not ruling Finn out of the Test, his inclusion would appear to involve them taking an uncharacteristic risk. They are expected to pick just two seamers for the game, so will be loathe to go into it with any injury doubts over one of them.

Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the Test after a scan on his left heel showed bruising. He will remain with the squad for now with a decision taken over his availability for the T20 games over the next few days.

Tim Bresnan is the likely replacement for Finn. Bresnan was dropped after a disappointing performance in the first Test in Ahmedabad.

The England Performance Programme (EPP) squad is currently in Pune, but there are no plans to call-up a substitute for Broad or Finn.

More to follow