India v England: Steven Finn ruled out of second Test with injury

Steven Finn

England paceman Steve Finn has been ruled out of the second Test against India because of a thigh injury.

Finn picked up the injury on the first day of England's opening tour match against India A and missed the defeat in the first Test.

The fast bowler had scans on his thigh on Wednesday and will remain in India despite concerns he would be ruled out of the series.

England will also be without Ian Bell for the second Test.

He returned home to become a father but missed the birth of his first child after his wife went into labour early.

"Steven has been working hard to get back to full fitness," England coach Andy Flower said.

"He has unfortunately hurt his leg again.

"We don't think he's got any structural damage, but it would be careless to suggest that he might play the second Test."

Finn is now hoping to play in a three-day match for the England Performance Programme squad in Mumbai next week. He could be available for the final two Tests in Kolkata and Nagpur.

"What we might do is send him off to the performance programme," Flower added.

"They've got a three-day game starting on the 27 November. If he's ready for that, which is the last day of the second Test, we'll put him through his paces in that.

"If he comes through that well, he'll be available for the third and fourth Tests.

"His last real cricket out here in India was during the one-day series about a year ago, and he bowled superbly.

"That extra pace would certainly assist us. But that's not to be [for now], so let's hope he gets fit and ready for that third Test."