By Fakir Hassen
Johannesburg, Sep 13 (IANS) Hosts South Africa are concerned that the participation of opener Herschelle Gibbs in the Twenty20 World Championships game against Bangladesh in Cape Town Saturday is in jeopardy, but are relieved that captain Graeme Smith will be ready for the game after an injury.
Gibbs, the hero of the South African victory over the West Indies in the inaugural championship game Tuesday evening with 90 not out off 55 balls, strained a right thigh muscle which may require some time to heal.
Smith, who continued to bat after being hit by the first ball of the game from Daren Powell of the West Indies, scored 28 in seven overs before being taken to hospital for a check-up.
X-rays and scans showed that nothing was broken in Smith’s hand.
“There was some bad swelling of soft tissue, but hopefully (Smith) will be ready (Friday) to hold a bat again,” South African team physiotherapist Shane Jabbar told the Afrikaans daily Beeld.