Hurt quick Starc in doubt for SCG finale

The 32-year-old left-armer suffered a blow to the tip of the middle finger on his bowling hand after attempting a difficult diving catch in the deep.

The NSW paceman briefly returned to the field after about 30 minutes following treatment but did not bowl as young allrounder Cameron Green quickly cleaned up South Africa's tail.

Starc, who last week became the seventh Australian bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, was assessed by medical staff and attempted to bowl in the nets.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said Starc's condition would be reassessed after the match but he had been cleared to bowl when South Africa bat again.

However, Starc is understood to have suffered tendon damage and Australia would be unlikely to risk the key fast bowler in next week's Test at the SCG in an expected dead-rubber contest.

If Starc is ruled out with injury it would ease pressure on Australian selectors with fellow ace quick Josh Hazlewood expected to be available after missing the last three Tests with a side-strain injury.

Hazlewood was still "underdone" ahead of the MCG Test after a battle for the last bowler's spot loomed between him and Victorian Scott Boland.