Morkel probably ruled out of rest of series
Fast bowler Morne Morkel's participation in the remainder of South Africa's two-Test series against India has been put in doubt by an ankle injury sustained during day three of the first match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel's participation in the remainder of South Africa's two-Test series against India has been put in doubt by an ankle injury sustained during day three of the first match at the Wanderers.
Morkel won't bowl again in Johannesburg after severely hurting his right ankle while fielding on the fine-leg boundary during the final over before the lunch break on Friday.
The lanky right-armer was consequently helped off the field by team-mates Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen, under the watchful eye of bowling coach Allan Donald.
"Morne landed awkwardly on his right ankle while fielding this afternoon. Clinical examination and a subsequent MRI scan confirmed a grade one ankle sprain," said team manager doctor Mohammed Moosajee.
"The recovery period is usually seven to days and he is doubtful for the second Test in Durban"
The 29-year-old Morkel was the pick of the bowlers during the opposition's first innings, snaring telling figures of three for 34 in a total of 280 all out, after which the Proteas were dismissed for 244.
The inexperienced Rory Kleinveldt would likely be drafted into the XI for the second Test, which will get underway at Kingsmead in Durban on 26 December, should Morkel not be fit for selection.
The uncapped Chris Morris and Beuran Hendricks, all-rounder Wayne Parnell, left-armer Lonwabo Tsotsobe or Durban-based Kyle Abbott, meanwhile, are the leading candidates to be called up to the squad as injury cover.
Latest
-
NewsHas Jos Buttler earned the title of England’s greatest white-ball player?
The wicketkeeper will face Australia again on Friday at his home ground of Emirates Old Trafford.
-
NewsEoin Morgan has an eye on the World Cup in one-day series against Australia
The captain says England must improve on spinning pitches if they are to defend their title in India.
-
NewsWe must be at 100 per cent to compete with England – Aaron Finch
The Australia captain is preparing his team for the one-day series against the World Cup winners.
-
NewsWatson: CSK stuck with me through thick and thin
Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson says the Chennai Super Kings family have taken great care of him in the twilight of his career.
-
NewsSomerset beat Worcestershire to set up Bob Willis Trophy final clash with Essex
Somerset surged through to the final with 97 points.
-
NewsNorthamptonshire players get all clear after abandonment
Friday’s Vitality Blast game between Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire is on after three negative coronavirus tests.
-
NewsPakistan plan to tour New Zealand in November 2020
Pakistan hope to host Zimbabwe in early November before jetting to New Zealand for a full bilateral tour.
-
NewsZaheer Abbas: Pakistan batsmen must learn from India
Zaheer Abbas wants Pakistan to study India batsmen like Rohit Sharma in a bid to improve their technique and performance.
-
NewsKohli lauds the balance of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 2020 IPL squad
Virat Kohli doesn’t want to carry the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s past failures into the 2020 IPL campaign.
-
NewsJosh Hazlewood claims Australia have the momentum going into ODI series
The three-match Royal London ODI Series between England and Australia starts on Friday.