Opening batsman Aiden Markram has been sidelined for the remainder of the Proteas’ Test series against England due to a finger injury.

Markram, who was out for 20 and two in the ongoing series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion, recently recovered from a wrist injury sustained during the tour of India earlier this year.

‘Aiden sustained a fracture affecting the distal joint of his left ring finger. After consulting with a number of hand specialists yesterday we arrived at a decision that the best outcome would be achieved through surgical reduction and fixation,’ said Cricket South Africa chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra.

‘This would mean him unfortunately missing the rest of the series against England. We feel for Aiden who worked extremely hard to come through his previous hand fracture sustained in India to be Test-match ready.’

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The uncapped Pieter Malan will likely debut in the absence of Markram for the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

The current squad is for the first half of the four-match series. With Markram unavailable for the second half, the uncapped Ed Moore might be added. He has been in fine form for the Warriors.

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