South Africa, July 03: Mark Boucher stands by to captain South Africa against England on Thursday with regular skipper Graeme Smith rated doubtful. Smith has a shoulder injury and sat out training on Wednesday. He was injured while fielding in the NatWest Series match against Zimbabwe last Sunday but received extensive physiotherapy on Wednesday. South Africa will wait until the morning of the match before deciding whether he will play, otherwise Boeta Dippenaar will play his first match of the series.
Smith said: "The scan showed not a lot more damage can be done, so it is just down to dealing with the pain," he said.

"I hurt it on Sunday diving for a catch. I have taken today off and will have a net tomorrow morning - and the decision will be made from then.

"It has definitely improved a lot from Monday. If I play I will play with a fair bit of pain - but I would love to play tomorrow and give 100%. I am working very hard on getting myself fit."

England could play the same team that featured in the abandoned match at Headingley.

That means their attack would include five seam-bowling options, though Kabir Ali may have to make way for spinner Ashley Giles.

Bureau Report