South Africa vs India 2013: Kyle Abbott called up as cover for Morne Morkel

Kyle Abbott has been added to the South African squad

Dolphins fast bowler Kyle Abbott has been called up as a cover for Morne Morkel, who sustained an ankle injury during the first Test match against India at Johannesburg, ahead of the Boxing Day match at Durban.

Abbott made a sensational debut against Pakistan in February 2013 at Centurion, picking up 7 wickets in his first innings but has not played a Test match since then as South Africa preferred Rory Kleinveldt in his place. Fresh after picking up a five-wicket haul against Lions in a first class match that helped his team to a victory, it is believed that the home team may pick him on form ahead of Kleinveldt who got into the squad in first place.

The possibilities of Morkel playing in Durban are not good as the Grade 1 sprain is not expected to heal any time soon. Graeme Smith sounded less hopeful when he said: “The diagnosis Brendon Jackson, the physio, has given is that he is 20% ready for Durban, which Morne believes is 80%. At the best of times, he struggles to control those legs. We missed him in our second innings. Let us hold thumbs, but I don’t think the prognosis is great.”