London, Nov 21(ANI): England fast bowler Steve Finn has been ruled out of the second Test match against India in Mumbai after a recurrence of his thigh injury two days ago.
Tours of India tend to thwart visiting teams at every turn and Finn's unavailability for a Test England need to win, after going one down, is a severe setback to their chances of levelling the four-match series.
It would be nice having that extra bit of pace," the Telegraph quoted England coach Andy Flower, as saying.
"We need to see if there is any structural damage and Steve will have a scan soon to check that. If there isn't, he will join our performance programme which has just arrived here," he added.
Finn could still play a part in the series, as the performance squad has a three-day match in Navi Mumbai on Nov 27 in which Flower hopes Finn will play.
If he comes through that he would be available for the third Test in Calcutta. Stuart Meaker, meanwhile, who flew in as standby for Finn 10 days ago, will remain with the Test squad and is available for selection.
Finn's injury means the new-ball pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad will almost certainly remain intact with Monty Panesar likely to join Swann in place of Tim Bresnan, though Flower insisted he wants to see the pitch first. (ANI)