Somerset face losing Smith

Graeme Smith: may leave Somerset as early as the end of July © Getty Images

Somerset are faced with losing Graeme Smith sooner than expected after doubts were raised about his availability for the entire summer.

Smith is due to arrive in England imminently and had signed a contract to captain the side for the duration of the County Championship season. However, the county have received notice from the South African Cricket Board, who are worried about the amount of cricket the opening batsman is playing.

As a result Smith, who is carrying a persistent ankle injury, may only be available until the end of July. Somerset were banking on him bringing some of his South African grit to Somerset, who are currently seventh in Division Two of the Championship and second in National League Division Two.

Somerset chief executive, Peter Anderson, told the club's website: "Somerset are very disappointed because they went into great detail with Graeme Smith and his agent very carefully and he has signed a contract to be here until the end of this season, which was agreed with the South African Cricket Board and tentative arrangements were planned for him to return to captain again in 2006."

"We will discuss this situation in detail when he arrives, as we will with his agent who will be here in early June. The cricket panel is obviously concerned that our so carefully-laid plans appear to have been compromised but will wait and see how things develop."

Smith enjoyed an impressive tour of West Indies, leading South Africa a 2-0 win in the Test series and a 5-0 whitewash in the one-day matches. He was the leading run-scorer in the Test series, with 505 runs, including three centuries.