Graeme Smith blow for South Africa ahead of Champions Trophy

South Africa opener Graeme Smith has
been ruled out of next month's Champions
Trophy with a left ankle injury, the
country's cricket board said on Thursday.
Smith, South Africa's test captain, has had
long-term problems with his left ankle and
needed surgery in the past but the injury
flared up again in the home one-day
international series against Pakistan in
March.
The 32-year-old was playing for English
county Surrey but would return home after
scans in London on Wednesday showed a
stress fracture to the troublesome ankle,
Cricket South Africa said in a statement.
The left-handed batsman would require
surgery and could need up to six months to
return to the field again, South Africa team
manager Mohammed Moosajee said.
"Graeme has been troubled by left ankle
pain over the last few months and despite
extensive treatment and physiotherapy, it
has recently deteriorated significantly
while playing for Surrey in England," he
said.
"He underwent a rescan of his left ankle in
London on Wednesday, and it was
determined that since his last scan, the
condition has progressed to a stress
fracture.
"Surgery will be required, and he has been
advised to follow a rest and rehabilitation
programme over the next four to six
months.
"This unfortunately rules him out of the
upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in
England and Wales and the selectors will
name a replacement in due course."
The top-ranked test team in the world will
be led by AB de Villiers in the Champions
Trophy as South Africa aim to leave behind
their past failures in ICC tournaments.
"It's a big blow for me personally to be
missing out on the Champions Trophy next
month. The ODI squad is creating
something special and I was looking
forward to being part of that family,"
Smith said.
"I will no doubt be supporting from my
living room and I know the players, under
AB's leadership will be giving all that they
can during the tournament."
South Africa are in Group B and will play
the opening match of the June 6-23
tournament against India in Cardiff.
Pakistan and West Indies are the other
teams in the group.