Injured Smith still under contract

Director of cricket Alec Stewart has insisted South African batsman Graeme Smith has not terminated a three-year contract with Surrey.

Director of cricket Alec Stewart has insisted South African batsman Graeme Smith has not terminated a three-year contract with Surrey.

Smith, who retired from international cricket in the wake of March's series loss to Australia, enjoyed a promising start to the County Championship last month.

However, a fractured knee has effectively ruled him out of the remainder of the season. Countryman Hashim Amla has since been signed as a replacement.

"I had a good chat with Graeme," Stewart told <i>ESPNcricinfo</i>. "Where he is, he's thoroughly enjoyed his time with Surrey, despite it being two very brief periods over the last two years.

"He's still under contract for next year – it's a three year deal that he has signed. After seeing his knee specialist, he will find out exactly what the way forward is and, from there, whether he'll be out for a matter of weeks or months.

"As soon as we have more information, from the damage to the knee, we'll be in a better position to say if he is coming back or not. I would have thought it was doubtful."

The left-handed Smith accrued 263 Division Two runs in eight innings this season, including a fine century against Gloucestershire at The Oval in London.

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