The injury-cloud hanging over the Proteas seemed to clear on Friday with the side at full-strength for SA's final warm-up match against Western Australia at the WACA on Friday.

Skipper Graeme Smith (elbow), star fast bowler Dale Steyn (hamstring) and spinner Paul Harris (finger), all of whom missed the first warm-up match against the Warriors and Morné Morkel, who injured his ankle on Thursday, were all selected for the two-day game.

Physiotherapist Shane Jabaar confirmed that Morkel was not yet 100 percent fit, but the ankle injury is unlikely to keep him out of the first Test against Australia next week.

"He is still suffering a bit of discomfort," said Jabaar on the official Cricket SA website. "The plan was for him to bat today (Friday) and to bowl on Saturday."

Meanwhile, the South African batsmen had a productive opening day against Western Australia. AB de Villiers scored a century, while top-order stars Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla chipped in with half-centuries as the Proteas scored 320/8 in their 90 overs.

The visitors initially struggled as they were reduced to 29/2 after Smith (12) and Ashwell Prince (10) were dismissed cheaply. However, a 124-run stand between McKenzie and De Villiers put the South Africans back on track.


RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook