24 Mar 2009

Smith, Kallis named in squad to play Australia

11:06 am on 24 March 2009

South Africa has named captain Graeme Smith and stand-in skipper Jacques Kallis for next month's one-day series against Australia despite injury concerns.

The Proteas beat Australia by an innings and 20 runs in last week's third Test in Cape Town but Ricky Ponting's men claimed the series 2-1 and retain top ranking.

However Ponting's world champions are the lesser-ranked side going into the five-match series of one-dayers against the Proteas, who hold the No.1 ranking by one point over Australia.

Smith missed the Cape Town Test with a fractured right little finger but hopes to play in the one-day series which starts on Friday week in Durban.

Kallis suffered a groin-muscle strain while bowling in Cape Town and like Smith will skip the Twenty20 Internationals on Friday and Sunday.