South Africa hit by Steyn injury

South Africa have been rocked by the news that leading fast bowler Dale Steyn will miss the third Test against England with a broken thumb.

Steyn, 24, suffered the blow on Monday during the second Test at Headingley, which South Africa won by 10 wickets.

Cricket South Africa media officer Michael Owen-Smith told BBC Sport: "Dale is definitely out of the third Test but has a chance for the fourth."

The third Test in the four-match series starts at Edgbaston on 30 July.

Steyn had an X-ray on Thursday and is due to have the injury put in a plaster cast to help it heal.

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Will the injury to Steyn affect the outcome of the series?
Owen-Smith added: "The recovery time is between two and three weeks, but bear in mind it's already been nearly a week since he picked up the injury.

"He has definitely got a chance of making the Oval Test on 7 August, we will just have to wait and see."

Andre Nel is likely to to replace Steyn for Wednesday's match in Birmingham.

Coach Micky Arthur said: "Missing a player of Dale's calibre is a huge blow, but I feel we have such good depth with the likes of Andre and Monde [Zondeki].

"Nel is probably next in the queue. That was why I was strong on wanting good reserve strength with experienced players who know about the intensity of Test cricket."

South Africa began a three-day match against Bangladesh A on Friday, reaching 397-3 at Worcester, with reserve opening batsman Jean-Paul Duminy hitting 166.

The 24-year-old Duminy hit one six and 12 fours off 234 balls and shared a 155-run opening stand with skipper Graeme Smith who made 87.

Duminy then added a further 137 with Hashim Amla and put on 68 with Jacques Kallis, who was undefeated at the close on 52.

South Africa v Bangladesh scorecard

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