Proteas sweat on Philander injury

UPDATE

Vernon Philander has escape serious injury after being struck on his bowling hand while batting, but is unlikely to be able to bowl on the third day of South Africa's Test match against England at Lord's.

Philander was taken to a nearby hospital for X-rays after being struck shortly after England took the new ball, but he was able to carry on to score his sixth Test fifty.

An official Cricket South Africa communication said:"Some good news on Philander. X-rays show there is no fracture. But there is excessive swelling. Chances of bowling today are slim."  

EARLIER

South Africa face an anxious wait after bowler Vernon Philander was unable to take the field for the start of England's second innings at Lord's.

Philander was struck on the hand while batting and immediately dropped his bat in pain and walked away from the wicket.

The delivery, from England's Jimmy Anderson second over with the second new ball, seamed back into the right-handed allrounder and struck him on his bowling hand.

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There was a lengthy delay while Philander was seen to by the South Africa team physio before taking pain-killing tablets and continuing to bat.

He showed great bravery to bat on and post his sixth Test fifty before he was last man out for 52, from 86 balls.

South Africa were all out for 361, still 97 runs behind England's first-innings 458 to leave home side with the upper hand in the first Test.

Philander remained in the dressing room and could be seen through the windows of the Lord's balcony being consoled on the physio table before leaving the ground to go to a nearby hospital for an x-ray.

The Proteas will be hopeful for a positive result from the scan, with the team already facing a second Test at Trent Bridge next week without strike weapon Kagiso Rabada.

England begin their 2nd innings. Bad news for SA, Philander has gone for an X-ray after he was hit on his bowling hand when batting #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/TVnTVgYFC4

Rabada has been banned for the Test by the International Cricket Council after it hit the bowler with a Code of Conduct breach when his foul-mouthed send-off for Ben Stokes was broadcast over the stump mic.

South Africa are already without star players AB de Villiers (rest, or possible retirement) and Dale Steyn (shoulder injury) and could ill afford to lose Philander as well.

They will at least welcome back Test captain Faf du Plessis for the Trent Bridge match after he missed the opener following the birth of his first child.