Smith fractures his finger

Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, has fractured the middle finger on his right hand, but is expected to be fit for the Test series against West Indies next month.

Smith injured his finger when attempting to take a catch off his own bowling during a match between Western Province and the Highveld Strikers.

"It is an innocuous, undisplaced fracture and is not to serious," said Shane Jabaar, Western Province's physio. "There is a fair amount of swelling and bleeding underneath the nail but he has no problem bending the finger and it is unlikely to get any worse. The only thing that would prevent him from playing would be the pain."

Smith has been fitted with a splint to protect the finger and it is unsure whether he will play in this Friday's Standard Bank series match against Border.

West Indies, currently touring Zimbabwe, play their first Test in South Africa on December 12 at Johannesburg.