South Africa sweating over fitness of Smith, Kallis and Petersen – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 and Jacques Kallis were not fit enough going into the fifth and final day of the ongoing second Test, at Leeds, Headingley.
“Petersen's hamstring strain is coming along, he is still about seven days away from full fitness and if he has to bat in this Test match he will,” Moosajee told media at the post-day press conference on Sunday.
Opener Petersen sustained a hamstring strain while batting in South Africa’s first innings late last week, where he stayed at the crease for nine hours, to score a calculated 182 in his side’s 419.
South African skipper Graeme http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598, who was at the crease at stumps on day four with a heavy strapping on his left knee, had injured the knee while fielding at the backward-point boundary, in the final session of the third day. Though
the left-hander is yet to be scanned to determine the extent of damage caused, the Proteas doctor fears he might have damaged some cartilage or meniscus.
"We assume that he (Smith) may have damaged something from a posterior aspect, either his cartilage or meniscus but we will have a proper look once the Test match is over,” said the South African team doctor.
Tourists’ main injury concern, according to Moosajee, remains the experienced all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692, who had strained his back while diving for a catch in slip on day three.
Initially it was revealed that the veteran would not bowl on day four, but the latest news from the Proteas camps is that his back problem worsened overnight heading into the fourth day, and he may not even bat in the second innings, on
the final day of the Leeds Test.
“Our main concern is Jacques Kallis,” said the Proteas doctor. “He has an issue with lower back spasms … he’ll be closely monitored over night to see how he responds to treatment. If he has to bat we’ll make sure that he is well supported."
South Africa, leading the three-Test series 1-0, were 39 without loss at stumps on Sunday, day four, and draw seems to be the most probable outcome of the match.
The third Test gets underway at Lord’s on August 16, and it is being feared that the tourists may be without the services of the injured trio in the series finale.
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