Kallis out of Sri Lanka tour
Jacques Kallis, South Africa's leading allrounder, has successfully undergone surgery on the elbow problem that has troubled him since November, but he will not now be considered for the forthcoming tour to Sri Lanka
Cricinfo staff
24-May-2006
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"The surgery confirmed the initial diagnosis and the need for surgery," said CSA's medical officer, Shuaib Manjra. "The degenerative tissue was debrided and the tendon sutured back onto the bone. Jacques' ligament, which showed some degeneration, was also attended to."
Kallis, 30, was forced out of last year's tour of Australia because of the condition, and has been hampered by the injury since. His left arm will be immobile for three weeks after which he will commence with rehabilitation. He should be fit and ready for the Champions Trophy in India in September and the World Cup in West Indies in March.
Despite being the the leading South African batsman in a bowler-dominated return series at home against Australia, Kallis has not been at full strength. According to Shane Jabbar, South Africa's physiotherapist: "The decision to undergo surgery to his left elbow [was] taken against a background of chronic pain and inflammation through what is commonly known as a tennis elbow."
Haroon Lorgat, convenor of the national selection panel, said: "It is good news that the decision to undergo surgery was the right one. However, we will not consider Jacques for selection for the Sri Lanka tour because we will abide by whatever time is needed for full healing to take place. We want him fully fit to meet the challenges of a tough season ahead."
Kallis recently became only the second player, after Sir Garfield Sobers, to score more than 8000 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket.