Injury blow for Albie Morkel

Leeds - South African all-rounder Albie Morkel was on Tuesday ruled out of contention for the second Test against England at Headingley because of an ankle injury.

Morkel was unlikely to have played unless there was an injury to one of the first choice players.

Batsman Faf du Plessis will be on standby, but will be released to captain the South Africa 'A' team in Ireland if he is not required for the Test, which starts on Thursday.

Team Manager, Mohammed Moosajee, said: “Albie (Morkel) has been diagnosed with an impingement syndrome of his left ankle, which will make him unavailable for selection for this Test match. It is not a major injury, so he will remain on tour with the squad and receive the necessary treatment.”

National convenor of selectors, Andrew Hudson, added: “We have been delighted with Faf’s (Du Plessis) international and domestic progress  over the years. It has been fantastic to see how he has improved in all three formats and how he has moulded himself into a versatile cricketer that can slot into any position in the batting order. We feel that he will give us extra options as the reserve player.”