/ 11 April 2006

Smith decision still in the balance

A decision on whether injured Proteas captain Graeme Smith will play in the first Castle Test against New Zealand at SuperSport Park, Centurion, beginning on Saturday, will be taken after he bats in the nets on Thursday.

Smith missed the third and final Test against Australia after injuring the ring finger of his left hand at fielding practice before the match.

Team physiotherapist Shane Jabaar said Tuesday that Smith’s chances of playing ”remain at 50-50”.

”Graeme consulted a hand specialist yesterday [Monday], and we are trying to improve functionality of his finger that has been in a splint since the injury.

”He will bat in the nets on Thursday, and then we will have a better idea of his fitness to play in the first Test”, Jabaar said.

Vice-captain Jacques Kallis is scheduled to take over the captaincy should Smith not play, as was the case in the last Test against Australia at the Wanderers.

The New Zealanders, who drew their warm-up four-day match against the Rest of South Africa X1 at Benoni, will have their first net at SuperSport Park on Wednesday morning. The Proteas will have their first net on Thursday afternoon at the same venue.

Play begins on Saturday at 9.30am.

The remaining to Tests take place at Newlands, Cape Town from April 27 to May 1 and at the Wanderers, Johannesburg from May 5-9.

Since readmission, South Africa have played 13 Tests against New Zealand, winning seven, losing two and drawing four. — Sapa