JP Duminy blow for South Africa ahead of first Test

JP Duminy`s absence will hurt South Africa.

Mohali: In a blow to South Africa's spinning options, bowling all-rounder Jean-Paul Duminy was all but ruled out of the first Test starting here from Thursday.

Duminy, who injured his hand during the third ODI, has been missing from action since and will require a few more days to achieve match fitness.

"It s unlikely JP is going to play the game tomorrow. We haven t finalised the team yet. The selectors have come down from South Africa so we will sit tonight and talk about the team," said Test skipper Hashim Amla in the pre-match conference at the PCA stadium here.

Pacer Morne Morkel's fitness is also under question and Amla said that the final call will be taken on the morning of the match.

"Tomorrow will be the final assessment on whether Morne (Morkel) will be hundred per cent fit for the game," he said.