England suffer major blow ahead of 3rd Test

England have suffered a major blow ahead of third Test against South Africa as Gary Ballance ruled out of the Kia Oval game after fracturing his left index finger.

Ballance was struck on the finger by a short ball from Morne Morkel on the fourth and final day of the Trent Bridge Test. He went for an X-ray on Monday night and was told the results on Tuesday.

He saw a hand surgeon in Leeds on Tuesday evening, when the diagnosis was confirmed. He will continue to be monitored by the England medical team and could still be available for selection in the fourth Test at Old Trafford next month.

But with the third Test starting on Thursday, Ballance was never likely to recover in time, despite being willing to play through the injury.

He has a top score of 34 in the series to date - and an average of 21.25 - and his position was far from secure anyway.