Smith and Kallis fit after injury scares

Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis have been given the all clear by South Africa's medical staff ahead of the team's two-day tour match against Derbyshire, which starts on Friday.

Both will be available for selection for the game after overcoming a knee ligament injury and lower back spasms respectively. Opening batsmen Alviro Petersen is unlikely to play as he still requires a few days to recover from a grade one hamstring strain which he picked up in the Headingley Test. Albie Morkel, the allrounder, is only partially fit and will play solely as a batsman.

Mohammed Moosajee, the South African team manager, said: "Graeme has fully recovered from the minor ligament sprain to his left knee and we also have positive feedback from Jacques, who has responded well to treatment following the acute back spasms that he suffered during the Test,"

Kallis has had an increasing number problems with his back in recent years, something put down to the burden on his body after 17 years of playing international cricket. He responded to treatment in a short space of time though, which Smith said was a sign of his resilience and the way he is managed by the support staff.

Kallis' back seized up on the third afternoon of the match and he was immobile for the entire fourth day. After extensive physiotherapy he returned on the final day and batted and bowled with no sign of discomfort.

"Alviro is progressing well with rehab after the grade one hamstring strain he sustained at Headingley but he is unlikely to feature in the tour match against Derbyshire," Moosajee said. "He will be focusing on his rehabilitation with the aim of making sure he is fully fit for the final Test at Lord's."

Petersen also missed the first warm-up on tour, against Somerset in Taunton, after he hurt a joint in his foot whole out jogging. His absence from the team will open the door for Faf du Plessis, who was included in the squad before the second Test, to play his first match in whites for a South Africa team.

Du Plessis was brought in as cover for Morkel who hurt his left ankle but has made good progress. "Albie's has responded well to the cortisone injection he received last week," Moosajee said. "Our physiotherapist, Brandon Jackson, will work on getting him to full bowling fitness during the coming week."