IANS

Kolkata, Feb 19: South African captain Graeme Smith has been ruled out of the three-match One-day International (ODI) series against India due to the finger injury he picked ahead of the Kolkata Test.

Smith makes way for Hashim Amla, who had a dream run in Test series piling up 490 runs. Jacques Kallis will lead the side in the ODI series.

Smith fractured his left little finger during the practice two days before the second and last Test at Eden Garden, where South Africa lost by an innings and 57 runs Thursday.

"I am going to assess it again when the team gets back home from India," Smith said. "It has been a bit frustrating last year-and-half with my two little fingers which have occasionally broken. The bone needs time to heal."

Michael Owen-Smith, South Africa's media manager, said Smith would be flying home.

"Doctors have advised Smith 10 days' rest to recover," Owen-Smith said.

"He is returning home and will be replaced by (Hashim) Amla. (Jacques) Kallis will lead the side in Smith's absence."

Wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, who sat out the second Test due to back spasms, will travel with the team to Jaipur for the first ODI Friday.