England’s Gary Ballance ruled out of 3rd Test vs South Africa

England’s Gary Ballance was struck on the left index finger by a short ball from Morne Morkel on Day 4 of the second Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge.

England batsman Gary Ballance has been ruled out of the third Test against South Africa due to a fractured finger.

England batsman Gary Ballance has been ruled out of the third Test against South Africa. (Reuters)

The Yorkshire captain was struck on the left index finger by a short ball from Morne Morkel on day four of the second Test against the Proteas at Trent Bridge.

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Ballance visited a surgeon in Leeds on Tuesday and it was later confirmed that he will not be available at The Oval.

The left-hander, whose place may have been under threat in any case after he failed to make a significant contribution in the first two Tests after earning a recall, may be fit for the fourth and final match of the series at Old Trafford.

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England head coach Trevor Bayliss earlier revealed that Mark Stoneman, Tom Westley and Haseeb Hameed were discussed as batting options to come into the squad at the last selection meeting.

South Africa hammered England by 340 runs inside four days in Nottingham to level the series. The third Test gets under way in London a week on Thursday.