Injured Donald to miss India series

South African fast bowler Allan Donald has been ruled out of November's three-Test home series against India because of a stomach muscle injury.

Donald, who has played no international cricket this season, strained the muscle while playing for Free State in a first class match at the weekend, which has also put his chance of making the tour to Australia at the end of the year in doubt.

"It's going to cost me another four to six weeks so that's going to put me out of the picture for the entire Test series against the Indians," Donald said.

"The start of the summer has nothing but setbacks for me but I remain positive - I'm going to get this right once and for all and hopefully be part of the squad which goes to Australia."

The 35-year-old missed South Africa's tour to Zimbabwe because of a serious flu strain and was hoping to play in the Tests against India ahead of the tour to Australia.

"Obviously there's a reason for every injury, but when I came back from the flu my body was so knocked back that I was more injury-prone than I probably realised," Donald said.

"From a fitness point of view, although I felt quite strong, I probably wasn't ready to get back out there.

"I should be OK to play against the Australians - that's what they tell me, even though it's a pretty severe strain.

"But nobody's got the right to play for South Africa and I don't see my selection to go to Australia as in any way automatic, seeing that I have not played a lot of cricket.

"If I'm in the side that would be nice, but if I'm not I've got to understand that I haven't played enough to justify my selection."

Donald is South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker with 325 in 69 Tests at an average of 21.64.

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Mail Cricket Editor