Ben Curran faces time on the sidelines with fractured hand

Ben Curran suffered a fracture to his right hand on the second day of Zimbabwe's warm-up game against South Africa at Arundel. Curran was hit by a Kagiso Rabada delivery in the fifth over of Zimbabwe's innings and retired hurt on 4. He was treated at the ground and taken for an x-ray which confirmed the fracture.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the injury is unlikely to require surgery but that Curran could still spend around four to six weeks out of action, which would rule him out of Zimbabwe's home Tests against South Africa later this month. South Africa will play two matches in Bulawayo starting on June 28.

Curran, the middle brother in a trio that includes England internationals Sam and Tom, made his debut for Zimbabwe in December last year and has played six Tests, including their most recent one against England, and six ODIs as well. He is yet to be capped in the T20I format. He has opened the batting in all his Tests, as he did in the match at Arundel, which does not have first-class status. Zimbabwe spent 79 overs in the field before South Africa declared on 313 for 2, and gave themselves an hour to bowl at Zimbabwe at the end of the day. Rabada and Marco Jansen shared the new ball and bowled with good pace and discipline.

After Rabada hit Curran, he had Brian Bennett caught at gully to give South Africa their first wicket on the tour. Rabada was replaced by Lungi Ngidi, who broke Nick Welch's bat in the closing exchanges of play.

There has only been one day of play possible in the fixture so far after the opening day was washed out and the third day appears likely to go the same way. With rain around Arundel, it was confirmed that there will be no play until at least the second session on Thursday. Friday's forecast also appears grim, which may mean South Africa head to London for the World Test Championship final against Australia with minimal match practice. They will have three days of training at Lord's the final starts on June 11.

Zimbabwe return home after the Arundel match to prepare to host South Africa for two Tests and a T20I tri-series, which also includes New Zealand. They will then play two Tests against New Zealand, the T20 World Cup Qualifiers and two Tests against Afghanistan later in the year.