Second highest wicket taker suffers fractured thumb

Imran Tahir, legspinner of South Africa has sustained a fracture to his left thumb but it is not expected to put his contribution in the World Cup at risk although he remains a doubt for the match against India, at Nagpur, on Saturday.

Moosjaee was careful to only mention Saturday’s match and not look too far beyond that because the team are waiting for a more detailed prognosis from a specialist in South Africa. Solomons also worked with captain Graeme Smith, who has been plagued by hand and finger injuries in recent times. Once Solomons has given team management his report, they will have more clarity on Tahir’s availability for the match against India and beyond.

The fracture is not on Tahir’s bowling hand, which may be why team management remain hopeful that he will be fit for all of South Africa’s remaining matches. He is South Africa’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps and is the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament behind Shahid Afridi.