Smith in doubt for first England Test

South Africa could be without their captain Graeme Smith for the first Test against England due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Smith sat out of the IPL final on Sunday after picking up the problem while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the semi-final on Friday.

The Test series begins at Lord's on July 10, giving Smith nearly six weeks to get himself right. However, the seriousness of his injury means he is no certainty to be ready for the Test or the warm-up match against Middlesex that begins six days earlier.

"I've got a grade two tear in my hamstring and it looks as through I will be out for four weeks," Smith told PA Sport. "I'm at a push to make it in time for the first Test at Lord's."

Smith is due to join up with his South Africa team-mates in Johannesburg for a training camp before they leave for England. Despite Smith's absence, Rajasthan won the IPL decider.