England captain Joe Root misses training with illness ahead of third South Africa Test

Numerous players and staff have been struck down with illness throughout the course of the tour

Joe Root will be aiming to recover in time for the third Test at St George's Park. Getty Images

England captain Joe Root could be a doubt for the third Test against South Africa after missing training on Sunday with a stomach bug.

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.

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.

The third Test at St George’s Park starts on Thursday.