KARACHI, Oct 2: South African pace hopeful Morne Morkel will take no further part on the Pakistan tour after further tests on his injured left foot revealed a fracture.
Michael Owen-Smith, the South African team’s media manager, told reporters that the 22-year-old Morkel would fly home immediately to start the rehabilitation process while a replacement, if needed, will be decided later.
“We were unhappy with Morne’s condition and opted to have fresh X-rays this morning. But unfortunately the reports revealed Morne has fractured the fourth metatarsal bone in his left foot,” Owen-Smith said. “The team management has now decided to send him back to South Africa where his injury will be monitored. But he is likely to stay away from the game for up to eight weeks.”
The promising fast bowler, whose older brother Albie is a current member of the South African one-day squad, injured his left foot while bowling on the final day of the three-day warm-up game against the PCB Patron’s XI at the NBP Sports Complex last week.
Morkel failed to pass a fitness test on Monday morning before the playing XI was announced for the first Test. Fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn was drafted into the team while seasoned all-rounder Shaun Pollock was relegated to the 12th man duties.
Meanwhile, Pakistan also suffered a casualty when their vice-captain Salman Butt was admitted to a local hospital in wee hours of the morning with severe pain in the stomach and took no part in the match on Tuesday.
Team manager Talat Ali said the left-handed opening batsman experienced severe pain in his stomach late on Monday night and we decided to take him to hospital early this morning.
“He was on a drip initially but the doctors suspect gastroenteritis,” Talat said. “Luckily, Salman made satisfactory progress before the doctors allowed him to be discharged.”
Salman, who had recuperating at the team’s hotel later in the day, was rushed back to the National Stadium in case he was required to bat. Yasir Hameed substituted for the indisposed vice-captain in the field when play resumed on Tuesday.