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Smith cleared of major damage

Graeme Smith, the South African captain, will continue to take part in the ICC World Twenty20, after X-rays and a CT scan confirmed that he had not fractured his right hand

Cricinfo staff
12-Sep-2007


Graeme Smith continued to bat after being struck on his right hand by a Daren Powell bouncer on Tuesday © Getty Images
Graeme Smith will continue to take part in the ICC World Twenty20 after X-rays and a CT scan confirmed that he had not fractured his right hand.
Smith was struck by a Daren Powell bouncer from the first ball of South Africa's innings in the opening match of the tournament against West Indies, but continued to bat after taking painkillers. He was rushed to hospital after he was dismissed for 28.
Shane Jabaar, the team physiotherapist, said Smith's progress would be monitored. "In spite of the fact that the results reveal no fracture, there is bound to be severe bruising of the soft tissue," Jabaar told Super Cricket. "We will have to be guided by his physical condition in treating the injury but hopefully he will be able to pick up a bat in two days' time."
Herschelle Gibbs is also in doubt for South Africa's next match after suffering a hamstring injury. Gibbs, who scored an unbeaten 90 off 55 balls to take South Africa to an eight-wicket victory on Tuesday, was aided by a runner for the majority of his innings.
"Herschelle has a first-degree plus strain of the hamstring [of the right leg]," Jabaar said. "At this stage, he can only be regarded as a 50-50 chance for Saturday [against Bangladesh at Newlands]."