Smith ready to undergo surgery

Graeme Smith has said he is ready to go under the knife to cure his chronic elbow injury. Smith, who returned home wearing a cast in his right hand, is expected to meet a surgeon soon to discuss the future course of action.

South African captain Graeme Smith has said he is ready to go under the knife to cure his chronic elbow injury.

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Smith, who returned home on Thursday wearing a cast in his right hand, is expected to meet a surgeon soon to discuss the future course of action of his treatment.

"It is really a matter of resting it, and then finding a window of eight to 12 weeks so that I can have surgery," Smith was quoted as saying by the South African Press Association.

"In the meantime, we will just be treating it and keeping it manageable," he added.

Smith, who led South Africa to a historic 2-1 Test series over Australia, however, expects to play a part in the return series at home.

"We are going to need our guys to be fresh, and so we are going to have to manage our bowlers during the one-day series in Australia," he said.

"We know that with Australia you have to earn every inch, and I think they have a lot of respect for us now. They know we never went away, and we pushed them all the way. I am really looking forward to being involved in the Test series back home," he added.