South Africa’s chances of claiming a 3-0 victory over Australia may have fractured with Graeme Smith’s left hand. Smith became the first victim of a cracking pitch when a Mitchell Johnson delivery surprised the captain, cutting back and striking the knuck
Cricinfo staff04-Jan-2009
Graeme Smith, who was to miss the ODIs against Australia because of an elbow injury, has now fractured his left arm © AFP
South Africa’s chances of claiming a 3-0 victory over Australia may havefractured with Graeme Smith’s left hand. Smith became the first victim ofa cracking pitch when a Mitchell Johnson delivery surprised the captain,cutting back and striking the knuckle on his little finger.After being examined on the ground, Smith retired hurt on 30 and went forx-rays that showed the break in the fifth metacarpal. He returned to thedressing room with a plastic cast on his hand and will be out for the nextsix weeks.Normally the injury would be a serious concern for the South Africans, butSmith already planned to miss the upcoming one-day series due to his rightelbow problem. He will meet with the team’s medical specialists inPretoria next week to plan his recovery from both injuries. In the lead-upto the Test he spoke of having his own blood injected into the tear in hisarm and is confident of being ready for Australia’s Test tour in February.Smith will bat only if South Africa need a handful of runs for victory anda stand-in captain will be decided before the second innings. With AshwellPrince also out with a hand injury, wicketkeeper Mark Boucher is theleading candidate.”If we need 10 to win I’m pretty sure Graeme will go in there, but it alldepends on the situation,” the spinner Paul Harris said. “He’sdisappointed to be injured, but this is the kick he needed to take alittle bit of rest.”The big guy has been playing for a long time in a lot of pain. I don’tthink people realise how hard it is to play in the pain he is in. A lot ofother guys would have packed in a long time ago.”When Smith was hit by Johnson, the team physiotherapist Shane Jabbarreturned to the field shortly after treating the batsman’s elbow. He knewhe had to retire hurt when he was unable to put his glove back on.The sunny weather in Sydney will widen the cracks on the pitch and thevisitors will have to bat last when the surface is at its most testing.Whether South Africa are pushing for victory or attempting to hold on fora draw on the final day, their situation will become tougher withoutSmith, who has 323 runs in the series.When Smith was batting, he was able to push South Africa forward while NeilMcKenzie’s struggles for fluency continued. Smith was fortunate to survivean edge behind on 18, with the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin not going for aball which bounced short of Matthew Hayden at first slip. The nextoffering from Doug Bollinger was pulled for four and there were anotherfour boundaries during his 31 deliveries.South Africa reached 1 for 125 at stumps in reply to Australia’s 445 andHarris was sure of their ability to match the total. “We’re prettyconfident that we can post close to their score, maybe a touch more,” hesaid.Despite Smith’s injury and the team being behind by 320 with three daysremaining, Harris said they would not be sitting back to defend their 2-0lead. “We play every Test to win, it’s the South African way,” he said.”We never play a Test to draw.”Harris collected 3 for 84 for the innings while Dale Steyn captured 3 for95. Steyn has a bruised left heel and delivered only six overs on thesecond day, but will bowl in the second innings.