Cricket: Smith op hurts South Africa

South Africa Test skipper Graeme Smith will miss the ICC Champions Trophy later this summer after being forced to end his time with Surrey to undergo ankle surgery.

The Proteas, who are 4/1 with bet365 to win the Champions Trophy, had hoped to have Smith at the top of their batting order for the tournament, but the left-hander could now be sidelined for as much as six months. A statement from Cricket South Africa confirmed: "Graeme has been troubled by left ankle pain over the last few months and, despite extensive treatment and physiotherapy, it has recently deteriorated significantly while playing for Surrey in England. "Surgery will be required and he has been advised to follow a rest and rehabilitation programme over the next four to six months." Smith, who has handed the one-day reins over to AB De Villiers, has played 193 ODIs for the Proteas, making nearly 7,000 runs at an average of 38.56.

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