Johannesburg – South African opening batsman Graeme Smith returned to Cape Town on Saturday even though two games remain in the One Day International (ODI) series against India, Cricket SA (CSA) announced.
Smith did not make the Proteas side which crushed India by 141
runs in the first ODI at the Wanderers on Thursday.
Quinton de Kock was given the nod ahead of him, and produced a man-of-the-match performance with an innings of 135.
“Smith has returned to Cape Town to focus on his Test match preparation ahead of the two-match Test series against India starting in Johannesburg on December 18,” CSA said in a statement.
CSA said Smith would be called on only if another player was injured.
Vernon Philander had recovered from a shoulder blade strain and was available for selection for the second ODI in Durban on Sunday, but Imran Tahir remained in doubt for the match. – Sapa