Lucky Steven Finn ready to rumble

England paceman Steven Finn has vowed to do whatever it takes this summer to reignite his stalled Test career - and he has Ben Stokes to thank for the unexpected chance.

Finn was initially left out of England's 16-man Test squad, but he received a late call-up after Stokes was provisionally suspended over the Bristol nightclub incident.

Stokes is still under police investigation, and it remains unclear whether he will be cleared to play any part in the Magellan Ashes.

Finn's 36-Test career has taken numerous twists and turns since his 2010 debut.

Even though he has been a part of three-triumphant Ashes campaigns, he had been in and out of the side during each of those series.

His career hit a low point during the Australian summer of 2013-14.

Not only was he an unused member of a squad who copped a 5-0 Ashes hiding, but he was sent home before the limited-overs component of the tour because selectors had lost faith in his bowling.

Finn has since won back their trust, and he will be battling it out with fellow fringe players Craig Overton and Jake Ball to earn selection for the first Ashes Test from November 23 at the Gabba.

The 28-year-old, who has twice snared six wickets in an innings against Australia, knows full well his lucky chance only comes because of the Stokes situation.

"When you're a late call-up to the squad and have been out of selection for the past six months or so, you definitely do have a point to prove," Finn said.

"It's not ideal circumstances to come into the squad (in that way). Obviously, I was naturally disappointed to miss out in the first place.

"But whatever the circumstances that you get called up into a Test squad - especially an Ashes squad over here - it's a very proud moment.

"The Ashes is the pinnacle of what you can do as a Test match cricketer in an England shirt.

"Having that experience of winning that before and how good it felt and how much people got behind us when we did that, it's something we want to recreate."

Finn hopes to earn selection for the first two-day tour match - against a weak WA XI side starting on Saturday at the WACA Ground.

Most pundits have written off England's chances of winning the Ashes if Stokes doesn't play.

But Finn is confident England can pull off an upset.

"One man doesn't make a team," Finn said.

"We've won games without Ben over the past 12 to 18 months, and we come here knowing we are capable of winning games without him."

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21