Kallis should be fit to bowl

2008-06-30 22:06

Altus Momberg

Taunton, England - Jacques Kallis should be fit to bowl when the South African cricket team's last warm-up match before the first Test against England starts on Friday.

Kallis, who was hit on the elbow by a short-pitched ball from Andrew Caddick on the first day of the match against Somerset, took no part in the second day's play on Monday.

The team's physiotherapist, Shane Jabaar, said the all-rounder's arm was merely bruised. "I don't think it's too serious. If he still feels a lot of pain (on Monday night) we'll have to take another look.

"I'm confident that he'll be able to bowl in Uxbridge."

The Proteas play Middlesex in a three-day warm-up match that starts on Friday. The first Test starts at Lord's on July 10.

It is extremely important for the South Africans that Kallis, a valuable top-order batsman, will be fit to bowl at Lord's. This will enable the selectors to include only four specialist bowlers.

If he cannot bowl, the composition of the team will have to be reconsidered.

The Proteas lost an extremely valuable all-rounder when Shaun Pollock retired and Kallis's bowling is now more important than it has been in years.

Hashim Amla, who scored 172 on the first day of the match against Somerset, also did not take part in Monday's proceedings. He has a slight groin injury but he should be ready to play against Middlesex.

Jabaar was the bearer of more good news on Monday when he said Proteas captain Graeme Smith should also be fit by Friday.

Smith missed the match against Somerset because of a hamstring injury that he suffered in India recently.

Jabaar said Smith's injury was "out of the danger zone" and the captain only had to regain his fitness.

"It's not only a question of him being on the field. He must be ready to be competitive," he said.

- Die Burger