LONDON: England batsman Gary Ballance has been ruled out of next week's third test against South Africa after fracturing his left index finger, the English Cricket Board said in a statement.

The Yorkshire player saw a hand surgeon in Leeds on Tuesday after suffering the injury in the second test at Trent Bridge, which South Africa won by 340 runs to level the series 1-1 with two matches remaining.

The left-hander will be monitored by England's medical team and could be ready for next month's final test at Old Trafford, after the third test at the Oval starting on July 27.