South Africa opener Aiden Markram has been ruled out for the remainder of the Test series with England.

Markram fractured the fourth finger of his left hand while batting on day two of the Boxing Day Test and will be absent for at least six weeks following surgery.

Cricket South Africa’s chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra said on Saturday: “After consulting with a number of hand specialists yesterday we arrived at a decision that the best outcome would be achieved through surgical reduction and fixation.

“This would mean him unfortunately missing the rest of the series against England. We feel for Aiden who worked extremely hard to come through his previous hand fracture sustained in India to be Test match ready.”

Markram has only just returned to fitness after fracturing his right wrist punching a “solid object” during the recent Test tour of India.

Provided by Press Association Sports