Smith and Pollock to have surgery

Staying on: Shaun Pollock wants to play on once his foot problem is sorted out © Getty Images

Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock are likely to miss the Afro-Asia Cup with both due to undergo surgery next week. Smith will have work done on the cartilage damage to his knee, which troubled him during the World Cup, while Pollock is having a minor operation on a small growth on his left foot.

"It's something quite minor, like a corn or something," Pollock, who has been named South Africa's Cricketer of the Year, told the Sapa news agency. "It has been giving me some discomfort, so I will have it removed. If I go to the Afro-Asia Cup in India, I will go as a batsman, but I should be fit to play against Ireland and India in Belfast at the end of next month."

Despite his lack of pace being an issue during the World Cup, Pollock said he has no plans to retire from either form of cricket. "Obviously, being the oldest member of the team, I often have people asking me when I'm going to retire. I have given it some thought, but am not planning to retire soon.

"While I'm still playing well and helping the team to perform well, and while I'm still enjoying my cricket, I'll carry on. I want to retire at the right time, so I will keep assessing the situation. But playing for South Africa has always been my passion, and I will keep playing as long as I am contributing to the team."

Smith, who was given a two-year extension to his captaincy stint on Thursday, is also expected to be fit for the three-match ODI series against India in Ireland plus a one-off match against the hosts.