Steven Finn set to miss fourth South Africa Test with injury

Quote:The England fast bowler Steven Finn looks certain to miss the fourth Test against South Africa with a side strain.

Finn felt tightness in his left side during England’s series-clinching victory at the Wanderers and was sent for scans on Sunday morning.

But the head coach, Trevor Bayliss, was pessimistic about his prospects, which would pave the way for Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan or Mark Footitt to feature in Centurion, as England seek a historic 3-0 success.
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“Steven is away getting scans but to be honest I doubt very much whether he’ll be available for the next Test,” Bayliss said. “We’ll have to wait and see how bad it is and make a decision on the one-day and Twenty20 series.

“But at this stage it looks like we have to make a replacement there heading into the last Test. That’s unfortunate because I thought he was probably our most dangerous bowler in the first two Tests.”

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/ja...ica-injury

It's a good thing England wrapped up the series at the Wanderers as this is a big loss. Finn has been brilliant since his return to Test cricket (23 wickets at an average of 24 and strike-rate of 44). It is a little worrying that this is now his second injury in the last 3 months, but such is the life of a bowler. I would imagine that Woakes would replace Finn, but with the series already won, I would like to see young Footit get a debut.

It would appear as though Dale Steyn will also miss the final Test due to his shoulder injury. Given that the series is already wrapped up, it is probably best to rest Steyn and not risk further aggravating the injury, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.

There's no doubt that Finn will be a big loss, the pressure is definitely off now and I think anybody who as a slight knock won't be risked.

Getting a win in South Africa I think wasn't expected so the last thing England need is to end the series with injury concerns.