Finn injury jolts England
England’s speedster Steven Finn has been ruled out of the series against Pakistan due to the stress injury in his left foot. Finn aggravated the injury while bowling in the nets before the first Test match was to take place. The speedster will be replaced by Chris Jordan for the remainder of the series. Finn will be replaced by Chris Jordan for the Tests and the one-day matches.
Finn, who represents Middlesex in county cricket, was in contention to feature in the starting XI after taking four wickets in the second of two warm-up games against Pakistan A, But, he reported discomfort following the game. He experienced soreness in his foot after the warm-up game and the pain got worsened as he bowled in the nets.
Unfortunate blow
The injury is a cruel blow for Finn who made an impressive, eight-wicket return to Test cricket against Australia at Edgbaston in July this year. Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment regarding Finn’s condition as he was expected to be a crucial player for this series, The Guardian reports.
"Since's he's come back into the team this summer he's been the leader in one-day cricket then when he came into the Ashes he blew away Australia," Stokes said. "He's started off well here so for the lads who have seen him progress so well from Australia it's pretty heartbreaking. The other seam bowlers who aren't in this game could have a role to play."
Gutted to be heading home from this UAE tour. Going to have to get better at using these things, blooming hard work! pic.twitter.com/lJqdfMuhTn
— Steven Finn (@finnysteve) October 14, 2015
Jordan the replacement
Jordan was included in the squad during the third Test against West Indies where he took some good catches and was praised by the teammates. Being an all-rounder, he took 6 wickets and scored 55 runs during that series.
But now through Finn’s unforeseen trouble, the door has opened once more for Jordan. He has picked up 21 wickets from eight Tests at 35.80 and he is will be hoping to contribute more for the team to knock down Pakistan.
Cook’s double ton propels England
Meanwhile, led by Captain Alastair Cook’s third Test double century, England gave a solid response to Pakistan’s mammoth first innings tally of 523/8.
Resuming Day 5 at 568/8, England declared at 598/9, 75 runs ahead of the hosts. Cook was marvellous in his stay at the crease as he notched up a richly deserved double century in 395 balls with the help of 16 strokes to the rope. England will be hoping for a major Pakistan batting collapse in order to try and get a result from the match.