McKenzie on the mend after back injury

South African middle-order batsman Neil McKenzie is making good progress in recovering from the back injury he sustained during the tour of Bangladesh last month. McKenzie tore a disc in his lower back during the second Test in Dhaka; he also has a sprained facet joint at the same level on the right side of his back

Following four weeks of rest and supervised swimming, McKenzie was assessed by a specialist in Johannesburg on Tuesday and has been given the go ahead to resume a programme of light running and back-specific exercises under the supervision of team physiotherapist Shane Jabaar.

The injury will be assessed again over the weekend to determine whether McKenzie will be able to complete a fitness test before the National squad gathers in Pretoria for a three day training camp on June 13.

McKenzie was named in both the Standard Bank ODI and Castle Lager/MTN Test squads for the tour to the UK, and is due to leave with the squad on Sunday June 15.