England v India 2014: Steven Finn replaces Liam Plunkett for 4th Test
Steven Finn will replace fast bowler Liam Plunkett, who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury, in the England squad for the 4th Test, England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed through the official Twitter account on August 3.
Plunkett missed the 3rd Test, as well, after feeling some discomfort in his ankle following the end of the 2nd Test at Lord’s, which the home team lost miserably before bouncing back to level the series at Rose Bowl. The 29-year-old has 7 wickets and one half-century to his name in the series and was the most incisive of the England pacers in the second innings of the second Test.
Liam Plunkett experienced some left ankle discomfort at the end of the 2nd Test and will miss the 4th Test as this continues to settle.
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) August 3, 2014
.@Liam628 will be replaced by @finnysteve in the squad for the upcoming Test at Emirates Old Trafford #EngvInd
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) August 3, 2014
Finn, a tall right-arm fast bowler, last played an international for England back in September 14, 2013, before poor form and issues with his bowling action put him on sidelines. England are not expected to change their winning combination, and hence it is unlikely that he would get a look in, with the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes already in the playing 11.
The 25-year-old Middlesex player had a great start to his international career, which was followed by untortunate setbacks, and has 90 Test wickets already in the 23 matches he has played. He also has 84 wickets in 57 limited overs matches for England.
Fourth Test
The fourth Test begins on April 7 at Old Trafford, a deck which the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has referred to as the fastest one in England.
The visitors have been hampered with injury troubles, as well: Lord’s hero Ishant Sharma has already been declared unfit, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains a doubtful starter. Back-up wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha has been sent home after picking up an injury, and Naman Ojha will fly in as his replacement.