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Alejandro Garnacho's brother has hit back at Rio Ferdinand after the former Manchester United defender claimed Lionel Messi unfollowed the winger.

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Ferdinand claimed Messi unfollowed GarnachoBrother disputes pundit's factsSays winger admires Messi & RonaldoGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Alejandro Garnacho hit the headlines all over the world after his wonder-goal against Everton on Sunday. But a curious claim from Ferdinand in the aftermath of the game saw Garnacho's brother, Roberto, rally to defend him. The former-England star asserted that Messi had unfollowed Garnacho on Instagram due to his admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo. But the player's brother was adamant that Messi had never been a follower in the first place.

AdvertisementWHAT ROBERTO GARNACHO SAID

"Fake, Messi never followed him," posted Roberto Garnacho on X (formerly Twitter), quoting a video of Ferdinand. "Stop making stuff up just to create hate, garna [Alejandro Garnacho] loves and admires both of them and you all Trying to creating a rivalry."

Ferdinand replied to the post a few hours later claiming: "Was sarcasm, bro."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Argentinian players are usually unequivocal when it comes to answering the age-old Messi vs Ronaldo question. But Garnacho is a unique case, having only recently broken into the Argentina squad and having shared a field with Messi for just 16 minutes. The young winger was a team-mate of Ronaldo after his ultimately ill-fated return to Old Trafford, training with him daily and playing with him on a number of occasions. Given the circumstances, the 19-year-old understandably has a great deal of respect for both of the modern era's great players.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR ALEJANDRO GARNACHO?

The GOAT debate will be pretty much the last thing on United's flying winger's mind on Wednesday night as his side take on Galatasaray in Istanbul. Erik ten Hag's side are in dire need of a result that will keep their faltering Champions League campaign alive.

With Zimbabwe faring feebly in the one-dayers, South Africa and Australia could provide the tri-series with some much-needed competition

The Preview by Firdose Moonda26-Aug-2014Match facts After a less than satisfactory tour in Zimbabwe so far, AB de Villiers will be looking to turn it up against Australia•Associated PressWednesday, August 27, 2014
Start time 0930 local (0730 GMT)Big Picture Finally, some competition.Do not pretend that you have not been thinking it, even though you may feel uncomfortable about how it reflects on what you think of the hosts of this series. The reality is that Zimbabwe’s ability to stay in a contest, which started promisingly in the one-off Test against South Africa, has been almost non-existent in the one-dayers, and the only way this tournament was likely to grab some attention is if there was something to liven it up. Luckily, South Africa and Australia could do that just by being in the same room.The countries are old rivals, but also good friends. They may have bones to pick with each other, but will share beverages afterwards. While there is no love lost between them, there is also a lot of mutual respect. Although they are tussling over a trophy few will even remember in months to come, the two teams will not be going easy on each other as they look to claim early bragging rights ahead of the World Cup.Recent ODI history favours South Africa, who have won three of the last four series between these two teams. However, Australia have had the upper hand in other formats and their current ascendancy makes this contest too close to call. By next Saturday, we may have a different answer.Since Zimbabwe’s chances of appearing in the final are minimal, South Africa and Australia have two potential rehearsals before the big day.Form guide
(last five completed games, most recent first)Australia WWLWW
South Africa WWWWLIn the spotlight Glenn Maxwell’s brutal hitting has been on display against Pakistan, West Indies, India, England and Zimbabwe, but he has not had the opportunity to see if he can pull the same off against a South African ODI attack. Maxwell has shown a disregard for reputation, which South Africa are aware of. So instead of getting scared, the likes of Dale Steyn might be fired up to get under the batsman’s skin.Scores of 7, 21 and 1 in Zimbabwe over the last three weeks have left AB de Villiers flying under the radar on this trip. After being rested from the final ODI against Zimbabwe, the South Africa captain will be keen to show he is ready to lead from the front against the top-ranked team in the world. De Villiers is usually a man for the big occasion and would likely regard a match against Australia as the perfect time to up the ante.Team news Michael Clarke will only make an appearance at the “back-end,” of the tri-series, according to George Bailey, so Mitchell Marsh could keep his spot at No.3. The Aaron Finch-Brad Haddin opening partnership worked well in the tournament opener, so Phil Hughes may still have to wait for his turn. The only debate that remains is whether Ben Cutting should get a chance or if the left-hand heavy attack will continue.Australia: 1 Aaron Finch, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Steve Smith, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Kane Richardson, 10 Mitchell Starc/Ben Cutting, 11 Nathan LyonSouth Africa will welcome back their premier pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, who will replace Kyle Abbott and Mthokozisi Shezi respectively. With Vernon Philander out of the series, Wayne Parnell is likely to get the nod ahead of the other reserve seamer Kyle Abbott. Hashim Amla is also expected back at the top of the order, as is the captain de Villiers. Aaron Phangiso performed well when given an opportunity in the third ODI, and he may retain his place ahead of Imran Tahir.South Africa: 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir/Aaron PhangisoPitch and conditions Zimbabwe’s ground staff have done their best to dehydrate the surfaces as much as possible to avoid handing any further advantage to the pace attacks the hosts might face this winter. However, since the home team is not involved in this fixture, they may turn the taps on. But even if they don’t, Harare’s surface has traditionally always had something in it for the bowlers early on. There may be some sparks flying as the two old frenemies kick off their contest, but there should also be plenty of runs to be scored in the summer sunshine.Stats and trivia The head-to-head record between Australia and South Africa is much closer than what both teams have against Zimbabwe. Of the 80 ODIs played between the two teams, Australia have won 41 and South Africa 36. Australia and South Africa have been involved in six tri-series together of which Australia have won four and South Africa, one. India was the other team to prevail in a three-team series featuring Australia and South Africa.Quotes “Any time that we can perform really well without him in the team I think it bodes well because we know how strong we’re going to be when he does get right and he comes back in.””This is the pinnacle of cricket, you want to play against the best in the world. Australia are number one in the world and play a good brand of cricket but they also haven’t played much in the last few months. We probably do have the advantage in terms of match practice.”

Development XI collapsed for the second time in as many days to hand Board XI an innings and 108-run victory in the four-day match at the P Sara Oval

Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Oct-2013
ScorecardDevelopment XI collapsed for the second time in as many days to hand Board XI an innings victory in the four-day match at the P Sara Oval. Following on after having conceded a 276-run first-innings lead, Development XI continued to lose wickets in short intervals, and could only last 41.3 overs in their second innings. Sachithra Senanayake was the best of Board XI’s bowlers again, taking 4 for 65, to finish with match figures of 7 for 147.Sachithra Serasinghe was the only batsman to make a substantial score, hitting 62 of the team’s 168, as the middle order faltered around him. Development XI had only lost their last wicket of the first innings in the first over of the morning, and had 87 overs to bat out in the second innings for a draw, but the top order could not resist Senanayake, who dismissed three of the top four in his first eight overs.Kusal Perera, who had struck a sparkling 150 in the first innings, fell to Thisara Perera for 12, and captain Lahiru Thirimanne collected his second failure of the match, as he was bowled by Senanayake for 19. Development XI stumbled to 75 for 5 in the 16th over, before Serasinghe slowed their demise, but only briefly. Malinda Pushpakumara contributed 22 to a 38-run stand for the eighth wicket, which was the most substantial partnership of the innings.Thisara picked up three wickets for 23 in 5.3 overs for the Board XI, and Ajantha Mendis took 2 for 39. Development XI begin their second match of the tri-series, against Sri Lanka A, on Monday at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Misbah-ul-Haq has raised concerns over Pakistan’s batting woes as the team lost its last six wickets for 38 runs during the first ODI against Australia in Sharjah

Umar Farooq29-Aug-2012Misbah-ul-Haq has raised concerns over Pakistan’s batting woes as the team lost its last six wickets for 38 runs during the first ODI against Australia in Sharjah. Pakistan played seven batsmen followed by allrounder Shahid Afridi at No. 8 but a late collapse during the second batting Powerplay dashed Pakistan’s hopes of achieving 230 on a sluggish pitch.”Our lower order is not contributing,” Misbah said. “Had anyone scored 30-40 in the lower order we would have scored much more. We are losing matches because we are not scoring runs in the lower order and that is why we had Shahid [Afridi] and Kamran.”Kamran, who made a comeback to the side after more than a year, scored four off 14 balls while Afridi edged his first ball to the slips. Afridi has been in poor form in ODIs recently – 0, 9, 0, 17 and 0* being his last five scores.”We have experienced players in the lower order,” Misbah said. “The only need is to bat the full 50 overs, because if we score 230-240, our bowling is so good that we can defend that.””We struggled in our batting against England and then in Sri Lanka, and that is why we played seven batsmen but we couldn’t score much,” Misbah said after the match. “We were sure about the target today but we lost the way. We committed mistakes, mistakes we have been repeating in the last two or three series but we can’t win matches if we continue to do that.”Misbah conceded that Pakistan were 30 runs short of a competitive total. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer as he accounted for well-set batsmen Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal and then the big wickets of Kamran Akmal and Afridi.He also gave full credit to Australia’s batsmen for the way they handled Pakistan’s spinners. The spinners had given Pakistan the upper hand as they reduced Australia to 121-5 at one stage – Saeed Ajmal taking 3-30 and Mohammad Hafeez, 2-29. But George Bailey (57) and Glenn Maxwell (38) added an invaluable 63 for the sixth wicket to all but close the match.”We tried everything, kept attacking fields, but credit must be given to them,” Misbah said. “The way Bailey and Glenn Maxwell batted, it showed maturity although they were playing [their] third or fourth match.”

Such is the unifying power of cricket in Afghanistan that even the Taliban sent a message of support to the team ahead of their historic ODI against Pakistan in Sharjah on Friday

George Dobell in Sharjah11-Feb-2012Such is the unifying power of cricket in Afghanistan that even the Taliban sent a message of support to the team ahead of their historic ODI against Pakistan in Sharjah on Friday. The match, which Pakistan won by seven wickets, was Afghanistan’s first ODI against a Test-playing nation and the first ODI played between an Affiliate Member of the ICC and a Full Member.A spokesman for the Taliban contacted the Afghanistan Cricket Board on the morning of the game to wish the team well and assure them they would be remembered in their prayers.Indeed, the event appears to have unified the Afghanistan nation in unprecedented fashion. The country’s president, Hamid Karzai, phoned officials at the ground several times in order to be kept up to date with the scores, while the country’s minister of finance, Dr Omar Zakhilwal, estimated that “hardly anybody was not watching” the match. “Nothing has ever brought us together like this,” he said.Zakhilwal, who is also chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, stressed the importance of cricket in his war-ravaged country and called on the Full Members of the ICC – the Test playing nations – to remember their “responsibility” to continue to develop the game and to reach out to a country in need.”Cricket is not just a game for us,” Zakhilwal said during the ODI. “We have had so much bad news in Afghanistan. But cricket – and this game against Pakistan – has brought good news for the people of a country who have suffered so much in the past. This is a proud day.”There is nothing that can touch cricket in popularity or as a force for good in Afghanistan. There is absolutely nothing else that mobilises our society in the same way. Not politics, political events or reconstruction. Between 80-90% of kids will be watching this game and they play it on every street. President Karzai is watching and has phoned several times to get the latest news. Even the opposition Taliban have sent a message of support. Their spokesman said we are praying for the success of the team.”We have received support from other countries. But it is important people realise the role that cricket can play: it can help in our development and help rebuild our society. It can be used an example to show what we can achieve if we have peace and we work together. It can help restore peace and give people a sense of purpose. For other countries to play a role in bringing something good is a responsibility; Pakistan has contributed to this purpose and I hope other countries will also contribute.”As things stand, however, Afghanistan have no more ODIs scheduled against Full Member nations. They will not be competing in the Asia Cup, an ODI event that includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which Zakhilwal refers to as “disappointing.” He hopes, however, that when the Full Member nations realise how important the sport has been in raising morale and providing a sense of purpose and unity in Afghanistan, they will rally to the cause and ensure the momentum is not lost.”The top teams shy away from playing us,” Zakhilwal continued. “I suppose they feel the benefits of beating us are small but the pain of losing to us would be great. We are pushing India, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for games as only by playing them can we improve and take cricket to the next step in our country.”The story of cricket in Afghanistan only started about ten years ago when people returned from the refugee camps in Pakistan. But there is something about the game that seems to appeal to the psyche of the Afghan people. It has created a sense of unity and happiness that has brought people together. This match is breaking the ice. But we want to be part of the big club.”Cricket is booming in Afghanistan. Not only is the international team now full time, but there are league teams in 28 of the 34 provinces and the country has an A team, an Under-19 programme and, next year, the sport will be made compulsory as part of the school curriculum.A country starved of entertainment, success and joy is crying out for support from the ten Full Members of the ICC. It remains to be seen who is listening.

Middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been out of action for more than six months following a knee injury and subsequent surgery, is set to make a comeback in the Ranji Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2011Middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been out of action for more than six months following a knee injury and subsequent surgery, is set to make a comeback in the Ranji Trophy. Pujara told the he will turn out for Saurashtra in their Ranji encounter against Karnataka starting on November 29, after being declared fit by the physio at the National Cricket Academy.”The NCA physio has given me an all-clear on my fitness and told me that I can play competitive cricket again,” Pujara said. “I’m looking forward to playing the Ranji game against Karnataka to start with.”Pujara, 23, picked up his injury during the IPL in May. He missed out on much of that tournament, and has been out of consideration for international duty since. It was the second time in his short career that he had injured his knee, and underwent surgery after consulting Dr. Andrew Williams in England.Prior to the knee issue, Pujara made an eye-catching start to his Test career, scoring a match-winning 72 against Australia on debut. He played two more Tests during India’s tour of South Africa. His recovery allows him two first-class games to reinforce his credentials ahead of the December 10 selection meeting for the India tour of Australia.”The last time I had the same surgery on my left knee and I made a good comeback. I’m hopeful I can do it again,” Pujara said. “Selection is not in my hands but I will be preparing myself keeping the Australia tour in mind. If I can score big in those two games then I’ll give myself a good chance of a comeback.”Unfortunately this injury happened when India had lined up to play a lot of Tests and it was very disappointing to sit out. I started on my rehab the day after my surgery and I concentrated hard to make a quick return. When you are out of cricket for so long the hunger is even more to do well. Because I have not played cricket for last four months, I am eager to bat for long.”

Moeen Ali claimed another six wickets to fire out Lancashire in their second-innings to take a 205-run victory at Old Trafford

Myles Hodgson at Old Trafford20-Jul-2012
ScorecardMoeen Ali claimed a 12-wicket match haul as Lancashire were bowled out for 63 in their second innings•Getty ImagesLancashire have escaped with no sanctions from an ECB pitch panel despite the pitch at Old Trafford being rated as poor following a humiliating defeat by Worcestershire that threatens their Division One status. The three-man panel was convened after their defeat inside three days, when 34 of the 40 wickets in the match fell to spin.The panel, headed by Chris Wood, the chairman of the pitch liaison panel, sat at Old Trafford after Worcestershire dismissed Lancashire for 63 – their lowest total at the ground for 49 years – with Moeen Ali’s offspin claiming career-best figures of 6 for 29 and match figures of 12 for 96. It was only the second Championship match played since the square was turned 90 degrees as part of Old Trafford’s redevelopment and although the pitch was rated as poor, which can result in an eight-point penalty, the ECB has been lenient because the bad weather hindered Lancashire’s preparation.”There was no skulduggery at all in that we probably would have stuck them in with four seamers in our side had we won the toss and we sent Gary Keedy off to play with the seconds,” said Mike Watkinson, Lancashire’s director of cricket. “This is a new pitch on the extra square. The Ashes pitch will be played, as was the one-day international, on one of the wickets that was common to both directions and used over many years.”Lancashire remain confident of being ready for next year’s Ashes Test but, for now, the defeat could prove most costly of all to their ambitions of avoiding relegation. They fought back strongly on the third morning and dismissed Worcestershire for 135, with Steven Croft’s offspin claiming 6 for 41 to finish with match figures of 9 for 105.On a wearing pitch that had given encouragement to the spinners since the opening morning, Vikram Solanki was the only batsman to demonstrate the necessary technique to survive. Using all the experience of his 20 years at Worcestershire, which is due to end this summer when he moves to Surrey, Solanki patiently accumulated runs and was the only batsman to score a half-century in the day.His 50, scored in over two hours at the crease, allowed Worcestershire to stretch their lead to 268, which was always likely to be beyond a Lancashire batting line-up which struggled noticeably against spin during a feeble first-innings effort. Indeed, they claimed two bonus wickets with Alan Richardson, their experienced seamer, dismissing Lancashire openers Stephen Moore and Paul Horton within the first six overs.Once Ali, bowling unchanged from the Pavilion End, entered the fray in the eighth over, the template for Lancashire’s demise was set. Standing at 6ft tall, the extra bounce he generated caused problems throughout the innings and he struck with his third, eighth and 14th balls to remove Karl Brown, Croft and Ashwell Prince to catches close to the wicket.Gareth Cross, the only Lancashire batsman to reach double figures, was caught in the deep trying to be aggressive against Ali, the only batsman not to be taken by close fielders. But for the Manchester sky-line, the disinterested builders and the obvious difference in temperature, you could have been watching a game anywhere on the subcontinent.Shaaiq Choudhry, who offered more of a threat with his flatter delivery from the Statham End, chipped in with two quick wickets but it was fitting that Ali claimed the last wicket when Kyle Hogg was stumped attempting to charge. It secured Worcestershire’s first Championship victory of the season and their first since beating Lancashire at New Road last summer, 11 matches ago – a win that ensured they avoided relegation.Heavily beaten by Nottinghamshire in their only other Championship match at Old Trafford this summer, this was Lancashire’s lowest total at their headquarters since being dismissed for 62 by Somerset in 1963. “It is really disappointing because it was a big game for us and it hasn’t gone as we would have liked at all, but we have to take it on the chin – we were well beaten,” Lancashire coach Peter Moores said.

Australian cricket’s shift towards commercial radio has been accompanied by a warning from ABC chief executive Mark Scott, that the national broadcaster should not be “taken for granted”

Daniel Brettig04-Oct-2013Australian cricket’s concerted shift towards commercial radio coverage has been accompanied by a warning from the ABC chief executive Mark Scott, that the national broadcaster should not be “taken for granted” after losing exclusive rights to broadcast the game.Advanced negotiations for radio rights over the forthcoming summer are expected to result in the Ashes Tests being broadcast on Fairfax Radio’s commercial networks, including 2UE in Sydney and 3AW in Melbourne, in addition to the ABC’s Grandstand coverage. Rights to the Twenty20 Big Bash League are set to go to Southern Cross/Austereo’s Triple M, the former employer of Cricket Australia’s executive general manager for marketing, digital media and communications Ben Amarfio, while 3AW and SEN may also cover matches.However, any radio coverage of the Sheffield Shield is in grave doubt due to an impasse between the ABC and CA. The national broadcaster is understood to have been asked to pay an additional fee for the rights to commentate on domestic matches, at the same time the Nine Network has had its outside broadcast costs paid for by CA in order to provide television coverage of the Ryobi Cup in Sydney this month. The ABC now appears likely to fill that gap in its coverage with other sports.Audio streaming has also been a point of contention, with the ABC upset to have lost the rights to stream their own coverage. This audio will instead be offered exclusively through CA’s own mobile, online and tablet apps, to be released closer to the start of the Ashes.”I don’t want Cricket Australia to take us for granted, just because we’ve been doing it for decades, I don’t want it taken for granted,” Scott told ABC Radio on Friday. “We’re very disappointed, frankly, that CA won’t let the ABC stream the cricket Tests on ABC websites. Some of the other sporting codes are doing it and I think that’s disappointing.”CA should also be aware there are many other sports who are knocking on our door, desperate to get coverage through ABC Grandstand. We’ll be making some announcements around that in coming weeks. Grandstand will still be the home of sport in summer, and will still be the home of Test cricket.”Scott called into question the chances of commercial radio broadcasters showing any interest in cricket coverage outside high profile series such as the Ashes. The ABC’s radio coverage has been exclusive since 2001, but in earlier years commercial broadcasters often covered individual matches of high audience interest such as Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test.”Commercial networks might want to pick it up, it’s an Ashes summer, but our audiences know that when Pakistan and New Zealand are touring, we’ll be there as well. We’re not just going to cherry pick the big tours, we’re there for the long haul,” Scott said. “I’ll be very interested if there’s a viable commercial market for Test cricket with the ABC with our commentary commercial free, with our expertise on air.”Cricket is the sound of summer on the ABC in Australia, and I think even if it’s on a commercial broadcaster our audiences know we love cricket, we’ve been doing it for decades, we have outstanding commentators and that we’ll be the place to go.”

Kithuruwan Vithanage was the entertainer of the day, as the Sri Lanka Development Emerging Team gave Bangladesh a Sri Lankan workout on the opening day of their tourgame

The Report by Mohammad Isam03-Mar-2013
Scorecard
Sohag Gazi picked up five wickets (file photo)•Associated PressKithuruwan Vithanage was theentertainer of the day, as the Sri Lanka Development Emerging Team gaveBangladesh a Sri Lankan workout on the opening day of their tourgame. Vithanage’s fifth first-class century, ending the day on anunbeaten 157, didn’t, however, completely overshadow offspinner Sohag Gazi’s five-for.Bangladesh should be concerned about the number of runs they conceded but therun-rate of 4.43 was almost expected from a bowling attack that had been outof touch with longer-version cricket for most of the 2012-13 season.Gazi, though, looked less like a bowler in hisfirst international season. He repeatedly flighted the ball while showingequal caution by keeping the ball right up to the batsmen. The youngbatsmen bought into his generous flight, and five of them fell trying to get him away and succumbed to his control. Gazi’s efforts have provided captainMushfiqur Rahim the relief of finding one bowler withwicket-taking confidence.In his third over, Gazi gave the visitors the opening wicket after AbulHasan and Rubel Hossain bowled an opening spell that didn’t cause the batsmen too many problems. Udara Jayasundera missed an off-break which turned just enough to take theoff stump, before Gazi had the home captain Angelo Perera stumped for 15just shortly following the lunch break.Gazi was given a break, during which time Mushfiqur tried out various bowling options and partnerships that weren’t successful. In that time, AshanPriyanjan and Vithanage added 159 for the fifth wicket.Gazi broke the stand when Priyanjan, on 83, tried to loft him over mid-onbut couldn’t clear Jahurul Islam. Niroshan Dickwella was out similarly,caught at mid-on, six overs later before the five-for was completed withthe wicket of Ishara Jayaratne in the 70th over.Vithanage, at the other end, progressed impressively against a Test attack, reaching hiscentury in the final session of play. Coming in to bat with a cap on, theVithanage, a left-hander, survived a few nervy moments at the start before playingmostly straight. He felt comfortable sweeping the ball, too, but most ofhis runs were brought about by his tendency to move towards the leg side even when thespinners pitched it up.Vithanage also took full toll of a flagging Bangladesh attack that was abowler short after the first hour. Abul Hasan threw up a couple of timesduring his first spell, suffering from dehydration and didn’t return tothe field for the rest of the day. Mushfiqur’s other concern would be asecond spinner.Elias Sunny, the left-arm spinner, is his only choice in the 15-man squad but he looked far from the accomplished first-class bowler he has been inthe last five years. He gave the left-handers more room, but wasn’t penetrative enough. Rubel had enough overs under hisbelt to feel confident and give the team management assurance that he isbuilding towards the Test match. Only Gazi will bowl with a wicket-taker’sconfidence, and Mushfiqur will look at his other options to provideeverything else if not the wickets.

Steven Finn has emerged as a major injury doubt ahead of the fourth Test in Nagpur after suffering a back injury

George Dobell12-Dec-2012Steven Finn has emerged as a major injury doubt ahead of the fourth Test in Nagpur after suffering a back injury. Finn, who missed the first two Tests with a thigh strain, reported some soreness on the final day of the Kolkata Test. A scan has shown a minor disc injury in his lower back and he was unable to take any part in training on Wednesday.While the England team management are not ruling Finn out of the Test, his inclusion would appear to involve them taking an uncharacteristic risk. They are expected to pick just two seamers for the game, so will be loathe to go into it with any injury doubts over one of them.Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the Test after a scan on his left heel showed bruising. He will remain with the squad for now with a decision taken over his availability for the Twenty20 games over the next few days.Tim Bresnan is the likely replacement for Finn. Bresnan was dropped after a disappointing performance in the first Test in Ahmedabad but, with his ability to bat and his experience, is likely to be preferred to Graham Onions, who has struggled for rhythm in his few opportunities on the tour.The England Performance Programme (EPP) squad is currently in Pune, but there are no plans to call-up a substitute for Broad or Finn. Stuart Meaker, who was called up as cover for Finn and Broad earlier in the tour, joined the EPP squad ahead of the Kolkata Test and is not with the Test squad.The news completes a miserable Test tour for Broad. Named vice-captain at the start, he failed to take a wicket in either of the first two Tests, was dropped for the first time since 2008 ahead of Kolkata and has struggled with injuries and illness throughout.”Stuart Broad is out of this Test match,” England’s captain, Alastair Cook, said. “His scan has showed a bruised heel and we’ll assess him over the next day or so to see what happens with the Twenty20. We’ll know a bit more when it settles down.”It’s the nature of sport, isn’t it? Some people have good tours and some people don’t. Unfortunately, more down to niggles and illnesses, Broady hasn’t quite managed to get into the tour. It’s frustrating for him and disappointing for us as a side. But we all know the class of Broady, and he’ll be back.”England are currently leading the four match series 2-1 and looking to complete their first series win in India since 1984-85.