BIRMINGHAM: Steven Finn will replace injured allrounder Ben Stokes for England in the third test against Pakistan starting Wednesday.


England captain Alastair Cook said Tuesday he was "wide awake" at 2 a.m. thinking about the selection decision that arose after Stokes hurt his calf in the second test in Manchester, which England won to tie the series 1-1.

Cook was deciding between Finn and fellow paceman Jake Ball for the test at Edgbaston, and said Finn got the nod because of his "proven test record ... and knack of taking wickets."

That will be England's only change, meaning Moeen Ali will again be the team's only spinner and Adil Rashid misses out.