South African batsman and occasional bowler JP Duminy was injured in the warm-down after the first day of the first Test against Australia on Friday in a potentially major blow to the tourists after they dropped their specialist spinner.
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Duminy, who was expected to support a four-pronged pace attack with his off spin, hurt his left ankle in a fall while running on the pitch and had to be helped off before being taken to hospital for a scan.
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The South Africans, who finished an otherwise excellent day at the Gabba on 255 for two, left leg spinner Imran Tahir out of the team for the Test and instead handed a debut to seamer Rory Kleinveldt.
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Batsman Alviro Petersen conceded that Duminy's bowling had been a factor in dropping Tahir and going with Kleinveldt.
"We felt that Rory was going to offer us some more on that wicket, it wasn't as hard as we thought," he said.
"We felt that Australia has got so many left-handers that JP could play a big role for us with the ball, if needed. And that was the reason why we have probably gone with Rory."
Duminy, who played a major role in South Africa's first ever series win in Australia four years ago, was scheduled to bat at number seven.
"Hopefully he'll be fine," Petersen added.
Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
