PERTH: England’s Ashes preparations were hit on Thursday with pace bowler Steven Finn (knee) and Moeen Ali (sore left side) sustaining injuries during training.

Finn, who replaced all-rounder Ben Stokes in the touring squad, injured his left knee while batting during Thursday’s session in Perth, while 30-year-old Moeen skipped practice due to a sore left side.

Both players will undergo scans on Friday to discover the extent of their injuries and are expected to miss the two-day warm-up match against Western Australia in Perth this weekend.

Ali has played 44 Tests for England and his exclusion from any part of the five-Test series could prove costly for the visitors as they aim to retain the Ashes.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2017