By IANS,
Sydney : South African captain Graeme Smith would be tempted to come out to bat with his broken hand if it means the Proteas win or draw the third Test against Australia on the fifth day Wednesday, said coach Mickey Arthur.
Smith could be required to make a courageous trip to the SCG wicket if the match reaches a dramatic climax and if so, he will be forced to remove the cast on his left arm and risk further injury to his broken hand.
South Africa need 314 runs on the final day to win the Test and the series 3-0. Smith fractured his left hand in the first innings.
“I doubt Graeme will come out (Wednesday) but yes, if there’s one over or two overs to see out to draw the game, or if there’s one or two required to win, I think we’re going to need a chain to chain him down in the dressing room,” Arthur said. “I’m not taking the possibility of Smith batting totally out of the equation, but it’s very and highly, highly unlikely,” Arthur was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.
The 27-year-old is facing a six-week stint on the sideline to recuperate from the hand injury and a troublesome elbow complaint that required a blood transfer procedure.
Indo-Asian News Service
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