Graeme Smith has confirmed that he will play no further part in the third Test against Australia at the SCG.
Smith, who played entered the match despite suffering the effects of a debilitating elbow complaint, was struck on the hand by a Mitchell Johnson deliver on day two which reared off a good length to abruptly end his tour.
The 27-year-old is renowned for his bravery but says he will not continue to tempt fate by taking to the crease on day five.
"I seriously doubt it, it's not worth it," Smith told Channel nine today.
Smith eyeing whitewash
Smith now faces a six-week stint on the sidelines but remains hopeful of taking his place in the return series in South Africa beginning on February 26.
"It's been a process of sort of keeping myself on the field and it's been going really well but I think god just said 'take a rest now' and I've got six weeks off on the sidelines," said Smith, who sported a large plaster cast on his left arm.
The Proteas have been set an imposing 376 for victory after Ricky Ponting declared at 257 for four shortly after tea on day four.
Despite the lofty target and his own absence, the skipper refused to discount his side's chances of achieving a series clean sweep.
"I think we've still got opportunities that lie ahead of us and that's the way we've got to look at it," Smith said.
"We probably let a few of those opportunities slip in the early part of the Test match and this is why we're in this position."
"But we certainly have the character and we've shown that, that we can come through so it would be nice to see it again from the boys."
Smith, who played entered the match despite suffering the effects of a debilitating elbow complaint, was struck on the hand by a Mitchell Johnson deliver on day two which reared off a good length to abruptly end his tour.
The 27-year-old is renowned for his bravery but says he will not continue to tempt fate by taking to the crease on day five.
"I seriously doubt it, it's not worth it," Smith told Channel nine today.
Smith eyeing whitewash
Smith now faces a six-week stint on the sidelines but remains hopeful of taking his place in the return series in South Africa beginning on February 26.
"It's been a process of sort of keeping myself on the field and it's been going really well but I think god just said 'take a rest now' and I've got six weeks off on the sidelines," said Smith, who sported a large plaster cast on his left arm.
The Proteas have been set an imposing 376 for victory after Ricky Ponting declared at 257 for four shortly after tea on day four.
Despite the lofty target and his own absence, the skipper refused to discount his side's chances of achieving a series clean sweep.
"I think we've still got opportunities that lie ahead of us and that's the way we've got to look at it," Smith said.
"We probably let a few of those opportunities slip in the early part of the Test match and this is why we're in this position."
"But we certainly have the character and we've shown that, that we can come through so it would be nice to see it again from the boys."
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