South Africa’s first World cup victory came at a terrible cost.
Jonty Rhodes, taking part in his fourth campaign, broke his right hand while fielding against Kenya on Wednesday at the North West Cricket Stadium.
Rhodes fractured a bone in his right hand while fielding at cover point. While South Africa rushed to a 10 wicket victory, eclipsing Kenya 140 all out with over 28 overs to spare, Rhodes was taken to a Potchefstroom hospital for X-rays.
As was initially expected, the X-rays revealed a fractured bone on the side of Rhodes’s hand. The 33 year old Rhodes will see a specialist in Johannesburg to
determine the extent of the injury.
On Monday, Rhodes had X-rays at the same hospital after aggravating an old injury. The X-rays revealed no fracture and Rhodes was cleared to play against Kenya.
Should the injury prevent Rhodes from taking any further part in the competition, South Africa will be able to call up a reserve.
Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie are the frontrunners to replace the 33 year old Rhodes if necessary. Smith, in particular, has taken every opportunity to remind the selectors of their oversight by making a mountain of runs.
In a warm up game against South Africa, Smith made 57 and in the process made the World Cup attack look distinctly ordinary. However, the selectors could do worse than turn to Jacques Rudolph. The 21 year old Rudolph has also made a stack of runs, including 152 at better than a run ball against Australia for the
Northern Titans last week. – Sapa