Graeme Smith to undergo ankle surgery

Graeme Smith, South Africa's Test captain, will undergo surgery on his left ankle that has been troubling him with chronic pain over the previous two months. The decision was arrived at after consultation with Cricket South Africa's ankle specialist, who detected an impingement syndrome of the ankle, South Africa team manager Mohammad Moosajee said.

"Graeme went to see CSA's ankle specialist in Cape Town on Friday and he confirmed that the best management of the chronic pain in his ankle is surgery," Moosajee said in a CSA release. "The recovery period after such a surgery usually takes eight to ten weeks, and he will subsequently not be able to represent Pune Warriors at the 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League in India."

The surgery will be performed next Tuesday, to allow Smith enough time to make a full recovery in time for South Africa's tour of England in July. "My ankle has been troubling me for some time so it will be a relief to have it repaired, especially looking ahead to the crucial year of cricket ahead," Smith said.

"I'm very disappointed to be missing out on the IPL this year. I was looking forward to my second season with Pune Warriors, especially after my knee set me back last season."

Smith had played four games in the 2011 IPL, before an injury to his right knee - picked up during a collision with his team-mate Rahul Sharma while fielding against the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise - ruled him out. He eventually underwent surgery on the knee last July.