Smith likely to play in ODI series vs Australia

Having recovered from his finger injury, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is likely to return to the squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia, beginning in Durban on Friday.

Smith is recovering well from the fractured right little finger he suffered while facing Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson's delivery in the second Test in Durban earlier this month.

"Graeme has resumed batting. He has had some throw-downs in the nets and he is progressing," team spokesman Michael Owen-Smith was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

The injury kept Smith out of the third Test in Cape Town and the two Twenty20 internationals which followed.

Earlier, the opening batsman broke little finger on his left hand while facing Johnson in the Sydney Test in January.

However, star South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis who suffered a groin strain while bowling in the Cape Town Test, appears less likely to return to the side for first one-dayer, the daily reported.

"We'll just have to assess him when he gets to Durban early this week," Owen-Smith said.