England fear that Steven Finn’s Ashes tour is over, as they awaited confirmation of scan results on his injured left knee.
The Middlesex fast bowler was hurt during a bizarre incident in the Perth nets yesterday, when he struck himself with his own bat attempting a drive.
Finn had only been called up as a late replacement for Ben Stokes, who was forced to stay at home because of the ongoing police investigation into his late-night fracas in Bristol in September.
But Finn now appears in danger of heading home just four days after England’s arrival in Australia.
The 28-year-old had spoken the day before his injury — which England described yesterday as a “jarred knee” — about his determination to make a positive impression in Australia.
Although fears over the injury were yet to be confirmed in Perth today, sources close to the tour party told Standard Sport they were expecting bad news.
If Finn is ruled out then young Sussex seamer George Garton and Liam Plunkett appear the most likely replacements.
There was expected to be better news today on Moeen Ali’s side injury, with England confident he will be fit for their final four-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI in Townsville, starting on November 15.
