Graeme Smith ruled out of ODI series

Graeme Smith, the South African captain, will not feature in the three-match ODI series after failing to recover from a finger injury.

"I am going to assess it again when the team gets back home from India," Smith said. "It has been a bit frustrating last year-and-a-half with my two little fingers which have occasionally broken. The bone needs time to heal."

Michael Owen-Smith, South Africa's media manager, said that Smith would fly home after the Kolkata Test and that Jacques Kallis would lead in the series. An in-form Hashim Amla, originally not named in the ODI squad, will stay back as Smith's replacement.

"Doctors have advised Smith 10 days' rest to recover from the fracture in his left little finger," Owen-Smith said. "He is returning home and [Hashim] Amla will be added to the side. [Jacques] Kallis will lead the side in Smith's absence."

Smith had picked up a freakish injury to the little finger on his left hand during fielding drills two days ahead of the Kolkata Test. Subsequent MRI scans showed it was a bone fracture but Smith was passed fit for the match.

Mark Boucher, who did not play the second Test after suffering fresh back problems during the team's final practice session, will stay on as South Africa travel to Jaipur on Friday for the first ODI. The team management was hopeful he be available for Sunday's match.

"Mark Boucher is on track with his recovery, and we're confident that he'll be able to play on Sunday," Owen-Smith confirmed.