Tahir advised ten days' rest after fracturing thumb

Imran Tahir, South Africa's Pakistan-born legspinner, will require ten days of rest after sustaining a chip fracture on his left thumb. He remains available for South Africa's match against India on Saturday and could start his recovery after that.

"The selection committee will decide whether that 10-day period will start before or after the game," Mohammed Moosajee, the team manger said. "He will still be a part of the World Cup going forward." Moosajee could not confirm when a final call will be taken on Tahir, saying that it may be "on the morning of the game."

Tahir sustained the injury during last Sunday's six-run defeat to England, when he took a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Stuart Broad. His thumb has been immobilised, is in a splint, and he was X-rayed on Wednesday in Nagpur. The scans were sent back to South Africa, to hand specialist Dr Mike Solomons, who recommended the 10-day rest period.

The fracture is not on Tahir's bowling hand and he was able to bowl in the nets on Thursday, an indication that he may be considered for the match against India. Tahir was part of South Africa's squad that defeated India 3-2 in January, but did not play a game because he was being preserved as a secret weapon for the World Cup. He has since impressed, with 11 wickets in three matches, and is the leading wicket-taker in the team. In the ten-day period after the India game, South Africa play Ireland and Bangladesh - a possible opportunity to rest Tahir - before the knockout stage. Johan Botha is in line to replace Tahir when his rest period begins.

Tahir is not South Africa's only injury concern. AB de Villiers has been unable to keep wicket in the last two matches because of a stiff back but was seen practicing specific drills to test his flexibility on Thursday.