National convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of Proteas captain Graeme Smith from the Sri Lankan tour, which starts at the end of the month. Smith slipped and sustained an injury to his right ankle while running on Saturday evening in Knysna.
After an X-ray and a scan, as well as a consultation with team physiotherapist Shane Jabaar, Smith was diagnosed with two torn ligaments.
Jabaar said: ”He will undergo a further stress X-ray later on Tuesday with an ankle specialist to determine the full extent of his injury and the treatment required.”
Lorgat has named Ashwell Prince as captain to lead the Proteas to the sub-continent for the two Test matches in Sri Lanka.
The one-day squad and captain will only be announced after the first Test.
Lorgat also confirmed that no vice-captain had been named as he expects all of the senior players to play a leadership role in supporting Ashwell.
”This is surely not an ideal way to start our season, but if we are to experience any misfortune during this year, I would rather have it now than later,” said a distressed Lorgat.
Prince had stood in before for Jacques Kallis as vice-captain, who is presently recovering from surgery to his ”tennis elbow” injury.
Jacques Rudolph, who had a successful tour of Sri Lanka with the SA A team last year, has been named as the replacement batsman for Graeme Smith.
Test squad for the Sri Lankan Tour:
Ashwell Prince (Captain); Hashim Amla; Nicky Boje; Mark Boucher; AB de Villiers; Boeta Dippenaar; Herschelle Gibbs; Andrew Hall; Andre Nel; Makhaya Ntini; Shaun Pollock; Dale Steyn and Thandi Tshabalala. — Sapa