Srinath likely to be fit for South African tour

Despite being ruled out of India's two remaining Test matches against Sri Lanka, fast bowler Javagal Srinath is almost certain to be fit to tour South Africa in October.

Srinath suffered a fracture in his left hand after being struck by a Dilhara Fernando delivery during the Galle Test match against Sri Lanka, but his orthopaedic surgeon Dr HPC Khincha said that the injury was not "serious" on Monday.

"He may not be able to bat or field for three weeks," Khincha told the Press Trust of India. "That he has bowled in a match after getting injured is a good sign. Srinath has a fracture of the left fifth metacarpal bone joining the little finger and the wrist."

Srinath did not bat again in the match but took five wickets in the first innings.

Apart from Srinath, India are currently having to do without Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble while captain Saurav Ganguly's position has come increasingly under pressure.