South Africa's preparations for Friday's second Test against Australia have been thrown into turmoil after batsman Daryll Cullinan withdrew following a pay row.
Cullinan, 35, walked out of the squad on Tuesday when his demand for a contract until next year was refused by Gerald Majola, chief executive of the United Cricket Board.
Western Province left-handed batsman Graeme Smith, 21, was picked to replace Cullinan in the match starting at Newlands Friday. It will be Smiths first international cap.
Selection convenor Rushdi Magiet said the batting order would probably be re-shuffled because Smith is an opening batsman, while Cullinan had been due to bat at number four.
Magiet said Cullinan had been a strong candidate to take over as captain if Shaun Pollock does not pass a fitness test on an injured side which kept him out of the first Test.
Vice captain Mark Boucher led the side in Johannesburg when they were beaten by an innings and 360 runs, but Magiet said it was not certain that he would again stand in for Pollock, whose injury has not responded well to treatment.
But with Cullinan out, Boucher will again most probably be captain if Pollock withdraws. Majola said he was disappointed at Cullinan's attitude.
Bureau Report