ADELAIDE: Australia’s in-form opener Aaron Finch is set to miss the fourth One-day International against England here on Friday, in a setback for the hosts as they seek their first win of the series.

Finch has been ruled out of the Adelaide Oval with a hamstring strain and will be tested for fitness ahead of the final match in Perth, Cricket Australia said.

The right-hander scored centuries in the first two matches and top-scored again on Sunday, but all in losing causes as Australia have conceded an unbeatable 3-0 lead to England in the five-match contest.

He smashed 107 in Melbourne for the first match of the series, followed by 106 at the Gabba before leading the Aussie batsmen with a knock of 62 in Sydney.

The hosts have recalled Glenn Maxwell as cover for Finch. The right-hander has played 80 ODIs for his country and can be one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket on his day, was surprisingly left out when the squad was announced earlier this month.

Captain Steve Smith and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns had said at the time he needed to be more consistent at the international level to get back into the team.

The 29-year-old last played for the one-day side on the tour of India last September.

Finch’s injury means Travis Head is likely to return to the lineup on Friday in his home state of South Australia after being dropped for the third match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Meanwhile, England fast bowler Liam Plunkett will miss the last two One-day Internationals due to a hamstring injury, captain Eoin Morgan said on Thursday.

The 32-year-old took four wickets in the first two ODIs but was injured in his second over of the third match.

His unavailability is a blow for the tourists, who have taken an unassailable 3-0 in the series.

“It was really unfortunate, Liam is going to be out for around 10 days,” Morgan said. “He’s going to stay with the squad for his rehabilitation. He’s been a huge part of our progression over the past two years. We’re looking at the T20 series for when he will come back so there will definitely be a change for tomorrow.”

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2018

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