Gary Ballance ruled out of Oval Test with broken finger

Left-handed England batsman Gary Ballance has been ruled out of the third Test of the ongoing four-match series against South Africa after fracturing his left index finger.

The Yorkshire left-hander was struck on the finger by a short ball from Morne Morkel on Day Four of the Trent Bridge Test, which England lost by 340 runs.

Ballance saw a hand surgeon in Leeds on Tuesday. He will continue to be monitored by the England medical team and could still be available for selection in the fourth Test starting next month at Emirates Old Trafford.

With the third Test beginning Thursday next week, the left-hander was never likely to recover in time, despite being willing to play through the injury, reports ESPNcricinfo.

Ballance has a top score of 34 in the ongoing series so far, averaging 21.25 and his position was anyway not secure.

It is believed that Surrey batsman Mark Stoneman will most likely replace him.

The four-match series is now leveled at 1-1 and the two sides will now take on each other in the third Test, beginning July 27 at the Oval.