England batsman Gary Ballance has been ruled out of the third Test match against South Africa at the KIA Oval after injuring his index finger.

The batsman was hit by a short ball from Morne Morkel on day 4 of the second Test at Trent Bridge.

The X-ray results showed that he had fractured his index finger and will be out of contention for the selection for the third Test. The England medical team will continue to monitor and he might be available for selection for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Gary Ballance didn’t make the impact which was expected from him. He had an average of 21.25 in this series.

Mark Stoneman is likely to be the replacement for Ballance. England coach said that Mark Stoneman and Tom Westley are being considered as options for the remaining series.

Stoneman has an average of 58.53 in the Championship season which also includes 3 tons. Stoneman, 30, can be an ideal option for England to open alongside Alastair Cook. Keaton Jennings will get an opportunity to bat at no. 3.

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