Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, will miss tomorrow's third NatWest Series match against England at The Oval with a tennis elbow problem.

Smith has suffered with the condition for most of the summer but will not be risked at The Oval, despite his side needing a win to keep the series alive.

The 27-year-old is unlikely to return to take any further part in a series that England lead 2-0 with three matches to play and will see a surgeon to determine if he needs an operation.

Jacques Kallis will captain the side in Smith's absence.

"Graeme, from the last test match and the start of the one dayers, has been pretty much playing on borrowed time with his elbow unfortunately," Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach said.

"He tried to battle it out as much as he could but after Trent Bridge we just realised he couldn't go any more. We are going to rest and rehab Graeme and get him ready for the start of our home series which is Bangladesh in November and then Australia. Graeme needs the time off now."

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