Steyn will be fit for third test despite broken thumb

WORCESTER, England, July 25 (Reuters) - South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has broken his left thumb but will be fit to play in next week's third test against England, a team spokesman said on Friday.

Steyn sustained the injury while fielding a ball that was driven back to him off his own bowling during the second test at Headingley on Monday. The injury was only x-rayed on Thursday.

"Dale has a slight fracture of the left thumb, there is no cause for alarm as far as him playing in the third test is concerned," team spokesman Michael Owen-Smith told reporters at Worcester, where South Africa were playing Bangladesh A.

"He is going to see a specialist with (team physio) Shane Jabaar this afternoon just to get instructions on how to strap it up and how to put a protective guard on it for the test. There is no question of him not playing (at Edgbaston on Wednesday).

"He played through the injury in Leeds at the time and he is not in any great discomfort."

South Africa have a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

Spinner Paul Harris was cleared to play in the match at Worcester after he had an x-ray on an elbow injury after slipping in the bathroom in his hotel room. He suffered minor ligament damage but not enough to prevent him bowling. (Editing by Sonia Oxley)