Steven Finn
Finn is set to sit out the fourth Test after taking 11 wickets in the series. Getty Images

England bowler Steven Finn is expected to miss the fourth Test against South Africa at Centurion due to a side injury. The 26-year-old suffered the blow during the seven-wicket win in the third Test at the Wanderers which gave the tourists an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

Finn is the second highest wicket-taker in the series with 11 scalps at 26.09. The Middlesex right-armer has been key for Trevor Bayliss' side during the tour but he could be absent for the final Test in order for him to fit for the upcoming one-day and Twenty20 series.

"I doubt very much whether he'll be available for the next Test," Bayliss said, according to BBC Sport. "We'll have to wait and see how bad it is and make a decision on the one-day and Twenty20 series.

"But at this stage it looks like we have to make a replacement heading into the last Test. That's unfortunate because I thought he was probably our most dangerous bowler in the first two Tests."

Following the Test series, England face South Africa in five ODIs and two T20s. Finn has been included in both squads alongside Alex Hales, who has struggled in his maiden Test series – averaging just 20 in his first three matches – but Bayliss has no plans to change England's top order.

"He's done reasonably well in this series," added Bayliss. "In the first Test in Durban, he looked like he belonged. He was struggling with illness before the third Test, so hopefully he can get over that and show us what he can do in Centurion."

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