Smith will be fit for Lord's, says SA cricket coach

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — South African skipper Graeme Smith should recover in time from a hamstring injury to play in the first Test against England next month, Proteas coach Mickey Arthur said on Monday.

Smith told reporters on Sunday that he would be "struggling" to be fit in time for the start of the four-Test series which begins at Lord's on July 10 after tearing his hamstring while playing in an Indian domestic tournament.

Arthur however said that although the injury usually takes four weeks to recover he was hoping Smith would be available for the final warm-up game.

"It's a grade two injury, which normally means about four weeks out of action but I am confident (physiotherapist) Shane Jabaar will get him ready in time," Arthur told the Sapa news agency....