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Kolkata: Despite fracturing his little finger, South African captain Graeme Smith will play in the second and final Test against India starting at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, the visiting team management said on Saturday.
South Africa's think tank decided to include Smith in the playing XI of the second Test after the left-hander had two net sessions on Saturday, where he seemed to be at ease while batting.
"The injury will not stop him (Smith) from playing. We never ruled him out," South Africa's media manager Michael Owen-Smith said.
Earlier in the day Smith, however, didn't rule himself out completely and said he would take a final call after the training and practice sessions.
"There is a fracture in one joint of the small finger on the left hand side. It's really about dealing with pain from that perspective," the Protea skipper had said.
At the nets, Smith was seen batting in two phases, playing cuts, sweep shots with equal ease although doctors had advised him at least seven to 10 days rest.
Till Friday, the South Africa team management denied reports of Smith having fractured his finger and termed it a ligament damage.
I had an X-ray at the ground and then had an MRI late afternoon yesterday. The decisions were made by the doctors last night," Smith said.
The left-handed opener, who has had in the past dealt with injury blows and yet turned out for the match, said it's not about the pain but about how you contribute to the side being the captain.
