Injury makes Smith doubtful for World Cup

Cricket

Robin Smith's participation in the World Cup is in serious doubt after the Hampshire batsman sustained a bad groin injury during yesterday's warm-up match in Lahore.

Smith was ordered to rest in his hotel room last night while having ice pack treatment. "I feel very depressed at the moment. I'm very, very low," he said. "I've been told I should be reasonably patient because, at best, it's going to take a short while. That's just devastating for me."

Smith, who missed the climax of the 1992 World Cup in Australia after slipping a disc, hurt himself holding a brilliant catch towards the end of England's 62-run victory over a Lahore City XI. He sprinted 20 yards and dived full length at deep midwicket to grasp a skier by the former Pakistan Test player Manzoor Elahi.

"I felt it as I dived and that's when I must have pulled the muscle," Smith said. "At this stage it feels very stiff and very sore. Hopefully there will be a quick improvement but at the moment it doesn't feel any easier than when I did it."

A serious pull would discount Smith from the five-week tournament and force England to request a replacement - probably Nasser Hussain. Even with a quick recovery, there seems little chance of Smith playing in next Wednesday's opening match against New Zealand.

"We should know more in a day or two," the England manager, Ray Illingworth, said. "But if the muscle has gone then it's a three-week job and Robin would be out of the competition."

England do not know for sure whether replacements for injured players will be allowed. "We tried to clarify that position before we came out here but couldn't get an answer," Illingworth said. "The organisers told us we would be informed when we got to Calcutta for this weekend's opening ceremony."

Considering a ball has not yet been bowled in the tournament, a replacement ought to be agreed without hesitation. Smith can only hope England do not have to press for a substitute on his behalf.

"This World Cup is going to be my last one and it means everything to me," he said. "From the vibes I was getting from the management during the tour of South Africa I felt I was quite lucky to be here.

"I wanted to prove people wrong and show everyone I was still good enough to play and do a very good job. For this to happen is a major blow. It is a five-week tournament, but I need to keep playing and practising as much as possible.

"Apart from doing a hamstring in 1989 I've kept clear of muscle pulls so I don't know how it should feel at this stage. All I can do is keep my fingers crossed."

Smith's day had begun badly when he was dismissed for a first-ball duck - edging an attempted cut against 19-year-old paceman Ali Asad. With Mike Atherton (3), Graham Thorpe (0) and Neil Fairbrother (5) all failing as well England slid to an embarrasing 86 for 5.

But half-centuries from Alec Stewart (65) and Jack Russell (60) repaired the damage, then Craig White - with 37 off 38 balls - applied the finishing touches.

A 50-over total of 247 for 8 was always likely to be enough, but Lahore launched a spirited fightback after Dominic Cork, with two early wickets, and White - 3 for 6 in four overs - had reduced them to 63 for 6.

Elahi and Mohammad Hussain added a quick 90 before Smith intervened with his costly catch to give White a fourth success and settle the contest.

Sri Lanka talks, page 25