Smith expected for Caribbean trip despite injury
LONDON, England (CMC) — South Africa’s captain Graeme Smith faces up to six weeks out of the game after fracturing a finger on Monday but is expected to still be a part of the World Twenty20 Championship starting next month in the Caribbean.
The left-hander sustained the injury to his right middle finger while fielding for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and is currently awaiting the results of scans before deciding on his next course of action.
South Africa’s coach Corrie van Zyl said he believed Smith would still be ready for the April 30 to May 16 tournament.
“Obviously it would have been ideal for him to get some match time in the IPL but, on a positive note, we’ll be able to do our planning for the T20 championship together — we would have had to do it by e-mail otherwise,” Van Zyl said.
South Africa’s first match will be against India on May 2 in Group C that also includes qualifiers Afghanistan.
Smith, who will lead a 15-man squad to the tournament, is expected to return to South Africa soon to begin his recovery.
“Ideally that’s what we want because we would like him to consult with our hand specialist in Cape Town,” South African team manager Mohammed Moosajee said.