South African pacer Morne Morkel is all set to be sidelined for four to six weeks after scans confirmed a side strain. The 32-year-old sustained the injury during his side's huge 333-run win over Bangladesh in the opening Test of the two-match series in Potchefstroom.
He left the field in his sixth over of the Bangladesh's second innings and didn't return to bowl for the rest of the day, as media reports suggest.
Morkel's injury means he will certainly miss the second Test against Bangladesh beginning October 6, while he also remains doubtful for the opening matches of Cricket South Africa's (CSA) T20 Global League.
Morkel's injury has come as a major blow for South Africa, who are already without their star fast bowlers Dale Steyn, who continues to recover from a shoulder injury, and Vernon Philander and Chris Morris.
Following the two-Test series against Bangladesh, South Africa are scheduled to play three ODIs and two T20Is lined up against the same opposition.
Limited-overs series against Bangladesh will be followed by the T20 Global League, a one-off four-day game against Zimbabwe from Boxing Day, and tour of India.
