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England set to make late change

Steven Finn has reportedly been recalled to to the England pace attack for third Ashes Test

Steven Finn is poised to end a two-year exile from Test cricket when he replaces the injured Mark Wood for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

The Telegraph UK is reporting Finn has earned a recall to the Test team at the expense of Wood who is struggling with an ankle injury and was unable to bowl in the outdoor nets on Tuesday due to heavy rain in Birmingham.

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Mark Wood gets his ankle srapped on Tuesday // Getty Images

The 24-year-old has a history of injury issues during his career and didn't have a big impact with the ball in the second Test at Lord's as Australia romped to a 405-run victory to level the series at 1-1.

"Today with the weather he couldn't bowl outside and we are a little bit concerned about 'Woody' and will have to make that call tomorrow," Cook said.

"He has played a huge amount of cricket in the last eight months ... and we just have to be careful and want everyone to be as close to fit as possible."

Finn has got the nod to make a first Test appearance since the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 2013 in front of leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

The 26-year-old struggled in that Test and finished with match figures of 2-124 from just 25 overs.

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Steve Finn in good spirits at training // Getty Images

Finn’s inclusion would be the second change for the hosts after No.3 Gary Ballance was dropped for fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow.

Bairstow will bat at No.5, with Ian Bell and Joe Root shuffling up the order one spot to form a new-look England middle order.

While England have altered their XI that lost by 405 runs at Lord’s in the second Test, Australia are set to enter Edgbaston with an unchanged team.

Chris Rogers again trained well on Tuesday and showed no sign of the inner ear problem that caused the opening batsman to retire hurt in the second innings at the Home of Cricket after suffering a dizzy spell.

Peter Nevill will also retain his place in the XI after captain Michael Clarke confirmed the gloveman is Australia’s new full-time Test wicketkeeper, replacing veteran Brad Haddin.

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