CENTURION, Nov 16: New Zealand opening batsman Craig Cumming was taken to hospital with a fractured cheekbone after being struck by a bouncer from South African fast bowler Dale Steyn on the first day of the second and final Test at Centurion Park on Friday.

Cumming had to retire hurt with his score on 48 after missing an attempted hook. X-rays revealed a depressed fracture of the right cheekbone and he was taken to hospital in Johannesburg, about 40km away, for assessment and treatment.

New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker said: “The x-rays showed what looked like multiple cracks in the cheek area. What that means in terms of how long he is going to be out (of the game) and what is needed to stabilise the injury has yet to be determined.”Crocker said it was likely Cumming would stay in hospital overnight and would probably take no further part in the match.

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who was batting with Cumming when he was hit, said it was “pretty sickening”.

He said Cumming had been playing an important innings.

“It's never nice to see anyone hit like that and I'm pretty sure the wishes of both teams are with him. It was a disappointing day,” admitted Fleming, who made a fluent 43. “We just didn't get the job done.”

It was the latest injury blow for the Black Caps, who have already lost star fast bowler Shane Bond with an abdominal injury and all-rounder Jacob Oram with a hamstring strain.

Kyle Mills, who was due to replace Oram, pulled out on Friday morning with a sore back and batsman Lou Vincent came in as a late replacement.

South African bowling coach Vincent Barnes praised the South African bowlers but said the New Zealand batsmen had helped with their attacking approach. “Their middle order play shots and they don't leave many balls alone. They give you a chance of getting wickets.”

But Fleming said he didn't think the batsmen were positive enough. “There are opportunities to score with the fields that (South African captain) Graeme (Smith) is setting.

“The bowling is very good but at some point we have to be positive and put some pressure back on them. We attempted to do that and there were some good signs but once again we succumbed to some easy outs.”—AFP