Cricket: Rhodes doubt for S Africa

SOUTH AFRICA lost one of their three World Cup warm-up matches to the weather at Hove yesterday - and immediately ran into a selection problem before their other two games, against Kent and Middlesex.

With key player Jonty Rhodes giving South Africa an early fitness worry because of the tendon injury in his right forearm, and seam bowler Steve Elworthy left out of yesterday's scheduled match against Sussex with a bruised calf, the tournament favourites could have done with some match practice.

Now they just have fixtures against Kent tomorrow and Middlesex on Tuesday to give their 15-strong squad vital practice in the middle before their opening World Cup match, against India - also at Hove - next Saturday.

Rhodes sustained his injury while rowing at South Africa's training camp in Cape Town a fortnight ago, and it was expected that the trouble would clear up in 10 days.

However, he visited a specialist in London yesterday and was given a cortisone injection and had a splint fitted to prevent any unnecessary movement of the arm.

He has been advised to rest for three days, which should rule him out of tomorrow's game.