The England middle-order batsman, Gary Ballance, is all set to miss the third Test against South Africa after he broke his left index finger. He was hit by a delivery from Morne Morkel on the fourth day of the game and later went for an X-ray on the same night. The reports which came out the next day confirmed that he has fractured his index finger and will miss the next Test match to be played at the Kia Oval from July 27. Though he has not been ruled out of the series and can be in contention for a place in the side for the last Test of the series.

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No replacement has been announced for Ballance as of yet and after an abysmal show from England in the second Test, there are chances of selectors making some changes in the side. Already, Ballance’s place in the team was not confirmed for the third Test after he could just score 85 runs in four innings. Apart from him, Keaton Jennings is also under scanner as the England opener, who was preferred as a partner of Alastair Cook leaving behind many candidates in the fray, has just managed to score 44 runs in four innings.

England selectors are expected to take some hard call after South Africa defeated the hosts by a margin of 340 runs in the second Test.

After being asked to bowl first, England bowlers did a decent job and packed SOuth Africa on a score of 335 with James Anderson snaring a fifer. Their batsmen though failed to do the job and could just manage 205 in reply. A lead of 130 was enough to give Proteas an advantage and they finally asked England to chase down a total of 474, after they declared their second innings on 343. A total surrender from England batsmen saw home side being packed on a score of 133 in the second innings, to lose the second Test.

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At present, the series is evenly poised with both the teams having registered a win in two Tests apiece and the rest of the two games are expected to be a cracker.