Kallis to undergo surgery for tennis elbow

World's leading all-rounder Jacques Kallis will undergo surgery next week to repair a tennis elbow injury that has plagued him since November last year.

The 30-year-old South African vice-captain was forced out of last year's tour of Australia because of the problem and is now doubtful for the tour of Sri Lanka in August.

'However, he should be fit and ready for the ICC Champions Trophy in India in September and the 2007 World Cup in West Indies in March,' physiotherapist Shane Jabaar said.

'The decision to undergo surgery on his left elbow has been taken against a background of chronic pain and inflammation through what is commonly known as a tennis elbow.

'Jacques will undergo a one-hour operation on a tendon in his elbow next Wednesday, and will be out of the clinic the same day. He will be in splints for 10 to 12 days, and will then start his rehabilitation over a period of four to six weeks,' Jabbar said yesterday.

Coach Mickey Arthur said they were confident the surgery would help Kallis in the long run.

'Everybody is confident that the surgery will do the trick, and that Jacques will be firing on all cylinders again for the Champions Trophy and the World Cup even if it means missing the Sri Lanka tour,' he said.

Convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat said the team to tour Sri Lanka in August would be announced in June.

'We will watch Jacques' progress carefully in the lead up to the announcement,' he said.

Kallis recently became the second player after Sir Garfield Sobers to score more than 8,000 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket.