England will be without Steven Finn and Moeen Ali for their opening two tour matches ahead of The Ashes showdown with Australia due to injury.

Fast bowler Finn has picked up a knee problem and all-rounder Ali is struggling with a side strain, ruling them out of warm-up games against Western Australia XI and Cricket Australia XI.

The Telegraph reports that Middlesex bowler Finn suffered the injury in a freak incident in the nets, having hit the ball onto his own knee during a batting session.

Mason Crane is now in contention to make his England bow, while Craig Overton may also be given an opportunity to step up ahead of the first Test in Brisbane later this month.

England are already without key man Ben Stokes, who is absent from the travelling party while an investigation is conducted into a recent night-time brawl.