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England captain Joe Root did not train on Sunday after being laid low by a stomach bug, a potential blow to the tourists with the third test against South Africa starting at St George's Park on Thursday.
Root, who also felt unwell during the first test, is one of 17 England players and support staff who have been hit by a flu-like bug on what has been dubbed the 'cursed tour', according to a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Opening batsman Rory Burns and veteran seamer James Anderson have already returned home through injury.
Root will probably be placed in quarantine and given time to recover in the hope that he will be at the toss on Thursday.
South Africa vs England – in picturesShow all 67 1 /67South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures Third T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures First T20I
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, fourth Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 5
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 2
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 2 Stuart Broad celebrates taking the wicket of South Africa's Zubayr Hamza on day two of the second Test
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 1
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 1 Anrich Nortje of South Africa celebrates getting the wicket of England captain Joe Root
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 1 England's Joe Denly watches the ball after playing a shot
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, first Test - day 1
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, second Test - day 1 England's Stuart Broad is bowled by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, first Test - day 4
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, first Test - day 3
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, first Test - day 1
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, first Test - day 1
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South Africa vs England – in pictures South Africa vs England, first Test - day 1
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Should he not be fit, his place in the side is likely to be taken by Jonny Bairstow.
South Africa won the first test of the four-match series in Pretoria by 107 runs, before England bounced back to claim the second in Cape Town by 189 runs.
Reuters
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