South Africa seamer leaves field with side strain in final Test for the Proteas
Morkel forced from field with side injury
Morne Morkel’s has sustained a left side strain on the third morning in Johannesburg as the Proteas push for a historic series-clinching victory.
Two deliveries into his 13th over of the innings, Morkel returned to the top of his mark before he walked the ball to captain Faf du Plessis and after a quick chat, collected his cap and sunglasses from the umpire and jogged to the Proteas dressing room.
It is understood Morkel will look to push through the pain and resume bowling at some stage on Sunday.
Morkel’s injury means South Africa might now be reluctant to enforce the follow-on after reducing Australia to 6-96 late on day two.
But a dogged 99-run stand between Tim Paine and Pat Cummins, who scored his maiden Test half-century, defied the hosts.
FIFTY! A push down the ground for three and that's a maiden Test half-century for Pat Cummins! You've got to love this bloke: https://t.co/khMvas09rp #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/QrQyz8R8lt
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) April 1, 2018
South Africa are in the box seat to beat Australia at home for the first time since 1970 after posting 488 in the first innings with a two-one series lead under their belts.
In the lead-up to the first Test in Durban, the Morkel announced he would retired from international cricket at the conclusion of the four-Test series against Australia.
Entering the series on 294 Test wickets, Morkel’s hopes of reaching 300 appeared dashed when he was dropped for the second Test in Port Elizabeth after taking 3-122 in the opening match at Kingsmed.
But a toe injury to rising star Lungi Ngidi saw Morkel return for the third Test in Cape Town, where he collected the three remaining wickets to reach 300 before bowling South Africa to victory with a career-best match haul of 9-110 in a man-of-the-match performance.
Qantas tour of South Africa
South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers.
Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.
Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights
First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard
Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard
Third Test South Africa won by 322 runs. Scorecard
Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage