Tennis elbow worries Smith

2008-08-21 22:07

Altus Momberg

Leeds - To keep the South African cricket team focussed on a one-day series after their victory in the Test series against England is the toughest job that Graeme Smith has had over the past ten days.

"Our main goal before the tour was to win the Test series," the Proteas captain said here on Thursday.

"Now we must ensure that we keep our eye on the ball in the ODIs. We've been away for long periods this year and I'd be lying if I said the guys are not longing for home."

The first of five one-day internationals between the South Africans and England starts here at Headingley on Friday.

Rain and a wet outfield again forced the teams to train indoors on Thursday, adding to Smith's problems.

"It certainly has not helped that we've been unable to prepare the way we wanted to," he said.

"We have not played in a one-day match for a long time and we were hoping to brush up on our ODI skills. But it's the same for both teams and we can't really complain."

Uncertainty remains about the dates and venues for the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament but the way things stand now, the Proteas will have only a few days at home before they leave for Pakistan

Whether Smith will be available also remains to be seen. He revealed on Thursday that he had been struggling with a tennis elbow.

"I'd like to avoid surgery, so I'll probably have to rest at some time or another," he said.

There won't be much time to rest, because a team from Bangladesh arrive for a tour only weeks after the Champions Trophy tournament.

Most of the players then go to India for the Champions League before continuing to Australia for what could be seen as a battle between the world's two leading teams.

The Champions League comprises a series of matches in which teams from the Indian Premier League, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan and England compete.

Smith may be given a rest during the Bangladesh tour.

- Die Burger