* Tendulkar not sure that he can make an early return

Little master Sachin Tendulkar is not sure if he can be fit in time for the South African tour. Tendulkar, who has an injured toe, was talking to mediapersons after his return following check-ups by South African surgeon, Dr Mark Fergussen.

"My injury does not need treatment as such. But the toe has to be rested for some more time," he told the Press Trust of India in Mumbai. "I don't want to predict the time it will take for me to start playing again," he added.

Dr Fergussen had prescribed special inner soles for Tendulkar's shoes which he says will have to be worn for some time. The critical area is the ball of his right foot which has not healed completely after a hairline fracture suffered during India's tour of Zimbabwe. "I know that injury is part and parcel of the game but it has been a bit disheartening knowing that the injury has not healed properly. I was very relieved to hear that I do not need surgery. I am now keeping my fingers crossed that I will be fit for the South African tour and I promise that I will be trying very hard to be ready," Tendulkar said.

* Indian captain for South Africa to be named on September 6

The Indian selectors will meet on September 6 to name the captain for the tour of South Africa. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jaywant Lele also told cricketnext.com that the rest of the team would be named the next day.

The indications are that Ganguly will retain his job despite the now certain prospect of India losing the Test series in Sri Lanka. The five wise men reportedly feel that South Africa will be far too demanding an assignment for a new captain. The big news on September 7 will concern the availability of Sachin Tendulkar. India will desperately need the little master to be fit and playing if they are to put up any fight on the hard and bouncy wickets in springbok country.

The day would also bring us further news about VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath. The twenty players who will be offered contracts could also be named by then. The cricketnext.com report says that the Indian squad will now leave for South Africa four days earlier. They are expected to land in Johannesburg on September 24. This follows a request from the Indian team management that they be given a week to ten days to come to grips with the pitches and conditions in South Africa.

India will play their first practice match against a Nicky Oppenheimer XI at Randjesfontein. On October 5 they would feature in a one-dayer against South Africa in Johannesburg. That match will be the curtain-raiser for the one-day tri-series that will feature Kenya as the third team. The Test series starts on November 3. You can get the most comprehensive coverage of the matches here at cricinfo.com.

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