London: Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, is miss the third one-dayer against England on Friday after failing to recover from a tennis elbow problem that has troubled him through the first two matches.

Smith will see a specialist on Thursday and there is the possibility that he might miss the remaining matches in the series for Shane Jabaar, South Africa's physiotherapist, is keen to start rehabilitation as soon as possible.

South Africa are trailing 2-0 in the five-match series and Smith's likely absence puts them under further pressure as they look to avoid a series defeat at The Oval. The team was bowled out for 83 in the second match at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

If Smith would not play then Jacques Kallis captain of match, he stood down from the vice-captaincy last year after being omitted from the ICC World Twenty20 squad. He has since said he would help the team in case of an emergency, while Mark Boucher added that the senior players would have to step up if South Africa wanted to come back into the series.

Pitch and conditions: It was quick and bouncy for the Test match earlier in the month, and more of the same is anticipated for Friday. Expect good value for shots on a fast outfield, but plenty of life for the tall bowlers on both sides.

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