• Philander out of India Test series

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    Kyle Abbott has been called up to South Africa’s Test squad after Vernon Philander was ruled out of the series against India due to an ankle injury.

    Team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee confirmed on Thursday that Philander will fly back to South Africa at the weekend after injuring his ankle while playing a warm-up football match during training.

    Philander picked up the knock after stepping on Dean Elgar’s foot. ‘It was a very freakish accident,’ AB de Villiers said. ‘He is very unlucky.’

    Moosajee said: ‘Vernon went for a MRI scan which confirmed an ankle ligament tear. He will return home this weekend to be assessed by one of Cricket South Africa’s specialists. At the moment it’s too early to tell, but he will be out for a period of at least 6-8 weeks.

    ‘It’s going to be a tight schedule to get him ready for England. However, once he has been assessed back home in Cape Town and a proper programme of physiotherapy and rehabilitation has been put into place, we will have a clearer understanding.’

    Abbott last played a Test match for South Africa against the West Indies in December 2014. he is expected to arrive in Bangaluru on Friday morning.

    Meanwhile, JP Duminy and Morne Morkel have both recovered from their injuries and are available for selection for the second Test starting at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.

    Dale Steyn continues to make steady progress from a groin injury and will undergo a final fitness test on Friday before a decision on his availability for the match is made.

    Picture: Karthik Krishnaswamy/ESPNcricinfo

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