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Smith cleared for Australian tour

Smith damaged his finger attempting to take a catch

DURBAN, South Africa -- South African captain Graeme Smith will tour Australia although his injured finger will need protection, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced.

Smith injured a finger on his left hand attempting a catch during the fifth one-day international between India and South Africa in Mumbai on Monday.

He was examined by a specialist in Cape Town on Tuesday and x-rays revealed no fracture.

A CSA statement said Smith's finger would "need protection for the next 10 to 12 days".

The first of South Africa's three tests against Australia will be played in Perth from December 16.

Smith could miss a three-day tour match against Western Australia in Perth that starts on Monday "as a precautionary measure", the statement said.

All-rounder Justin Ontong was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday after breaking a finger while fielding in Mumbai on Monday, the statement added.

Ontong, who was not in the squad selected for Australia, will wear a plaster cast for four to six weeks.

South Africa leave for Australia on Friday

Obscene language

South African fast bowler Andre Nel has been fined 20 percent of his match fee for using obscene language during Monday's defeat in the fifth and final one-dayer against India in Mumbai.

Nel was found to have breached the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct and was summoned for a hearing before match referee Jeff Crowe after the day-night game.

He was found to have breached 1.4 of the code relating to "using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting" which includes swearing in frustration at one's own poor play or misfortune, an ICC statement said.

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