Published: Sep 10, 2013, 09:27 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 10, 2013, 09:27 AM (IST)
Graeme Smith has been sidelined for four months following surgery on his left ankle © Getty Images
Sep 10, 2013
Graeme Smith said that he was on the road to recovery and would be ready to play against Pakistan in October after being on the sidelines for four months following a surgery in his left ankle.
The South African Test captain had two pins inserted in his ankle to repair a stress fracture. He has been in recovery since May but he expects to be fit to play in a two-Test series against Pakistan in UAE that starts on October 14.
“I had a stress fracture that had two pins put in. It’s an ongoing process, you have some good weeks and then you have others that are a little bit sore,” said Smith as reported by the South African Press Association.
“You just have to keep your head down and work towards recovery.”
Both the teams also play a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series and two Twenty20 Internationals.
“I feel I’m still on target to be ready for October,” he said. “After this week, I have three weeks of really hard graft ahead of me. I just have to see where I am in two weeks time and, hopefully, be ready for the tour.”
“The aim is to try and get more functional. You can’t just walk into an international, and I need to keep working on that.”
The Proteas also hope to have all-rounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Dale Steyn fit after the duo missed the recent limited overs tour of Sri Lanka.
