England have suffered a setback to their hopes of winning next month’s World Twenty20 in India after the strike bowler Steven Finn was ruled out of the tournament with a calf problem.
Finn, who has been replaced by Yorkshire’s Liam Plunkett in the 15-man squad, had been working hard to return to full fitness following the side strain that led to his tour of South Africa ending after the third Test in Johannesburg at the start of January. But despite the 26-year-old having made progress back at Middlesex – he had returned to bowling in the nets – a left calf strain picked up this week means he will now not be part of the England squad that flies out to India on 7 March.
Writing on Twitter, Finn said: “Really disappointed to have picked up another injury on my road to recovery. Gutted doesn’t describe it. Good luck to the guys out there!”
Really disappointed to have picked up another injury on my road to recovery. Gutted doesn't describe it. Good luck to the guys out there! 🏆
— Steven Finn (@finnysteve) February 26, 2016
Eoin Morgan’s side had been hoping Finn’s return would address concerns over a lack of bite in the bowling attack after defeats in the final five matches of the tour of South Africa, losing both the one-day and Twenty20 series and seeing the trip end on a low note.
Plunkett, who was Finn’s original replacement for limited overs fixtures only to withdraw himself because of a thigh strain, impressed during his last outing for England’s Twenty20 side, however, picking up six wickets in two matches as they beat Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last November.
The 30-year-old former Durham quick gets the nod ahead of Stuart Broad, who had replaced him in England’s one-day squad in South Africa but was not required for the Twenty20 fixtures that followed, despite being both the country’s leading wicket-taker and a previous captain in the format.
England, winners in 2010, begin their Group One campaign against West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 16 March, before further fixtures against South Africa, the defending champions, Sri Lanka, and a team from the qualifying round that precedes the tournament.
The top two sides from each of the two groups go through to the semi-finals, with the final due to be played at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on 3 April.
