Major knock for wilting Proteas

2008-08-27 22:03

Altus Momberg

London - The South African cricket team have been rocked by the news that their captain, Graeme Smith, could be out of action until December.

Smith suffers from a tennis elbow and will see a specialist here on Thursday. He is unlikely to play in any of the last three one-day internationals of the five-match series against England.

Shane Jabaar, the SA team's physiotherapist, said on Wednesday he would like to start with Smith's rehabilitation as soon as possible.

The Proteas, who were bowled out for 83 runs and beaten by ten wickets in the second ODI on Tuesday, now trail 0-2.

To lose Smith, probably their best one-day batsman, at a time when they are already thinking of going home is a massive blow.

Hashim Amla is likely to take the skipper's place at the top of the order but it has not been decided who will take over the captaincy.

Jabaar emphasised that no risks would be taken with Smith during the next few months. He wants the lefthander to be 100% fit for the series against Australia at the end of the year.

Australia and South Africa are the world's leading teams in Test cricket and the Proteas know they will need Smith to have a chance of beating the Aussies.

Want to avoid surgery

"A tennis elbow is a chronic problem and one can't say how long the rehabilitation will take," Jabaar explained.

"We want to avoid surgery but if rehabilitation does not work we'll have to think again."

Smith apparently starting having trouble with the elbow during the Indian Premier League matches in May but did not think much about it and continued playing.

"I've been treating him since the first tour match (in Taunton at the end of June) and he has been taking painkillers," Jabaar said.

He suspects that Smith's phenomenal innings to steer South Africa to victory in the series-clinching third Test aggravated the injury.

"We did not expect him to bat for so long and he has been suffering ever since," Jabaar said.

"He should not have played in the recent one-day matches. It started having a negative influence on his performances."

- Die Burger