Tahir suffers fractured thumb

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	Imran Tahir has quickly become a key part of South Africa's bowling attack © Getty Images Enlarge
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Imran Tahir, South Africa's Pakistani-born legspinner, has sustained a fracture to his left thumb but it is not expected to put his participation in the World Cup at risk although he remains a doubt for the match against India, at Nagpur, on Saturday.

"It happened when he took the catch off his own bowling to dismiss Jonathan Trott in the match against England on Sunday" Mohammed Moosajee, the team manager told ESPNCricinfo. "Team management have not decided if he will play against India."

Moosjaee was careful to only mention Saturday's match and not look too far beyond that because the team are waiting for a more detailed prognosis from a specialist in South Africa. "We have sent the x-rays to Dr Mike Solomons and he will give us his opinion by tomorrow," he said.

Solomons also worked with captain Graeme Smith, who has been plagued by hand and finger injuries in recent times. Once Solomons has given team management his report, they will have more clarity on Tahir's availability for the match against India and beyond. "The decision will be based on three things, the diagnosis, what the hand surgeon tells us and how well his recovery is going," Moosajee said.

The fracture is not on Tahir's bowling hand, which may be why team management remain hopeful that he will be fit for all of South Africa's remaining matches. He is South Africa's leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps and is the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament behind Shahid Afridi.

He did not participate much in the team's practice on Wednesday at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. He arrived with a strapped thumb and warmed up by running around the field while the rest of the squad played football. He did some stretches before going to the hospital with Moosajee, who said that it's likely that Tahir will train on Thursday.

Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent

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