Graeme Smith ready to return to action

Graeme Smith should be back in time for the Champions Trophy © Getty Images

Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, could return within the next fortnight, according to team coach Mickey Arthur.

Smith has been out of action for two months and missed his side's tour of Sri Lanka in August, but Arthur claimed that he was almost set to resume playing. "Graeme is almost ready. He might have been able to bat in the warm-up match against the Titans on Sunday, but it will make no sense to take a risk," Arthur told the Beeld newspaper. "We are planning for him to play in the first warm-up in India. He has batted in the nets but has not run between the wickets and has not fielded for extended periods.

"In addition to the matches on October 11 and 13, we are optimistic about playing on October 7. I don't know who the opponents will be but it could be a local team or teams that won't be in our group in the tournament."