DURBAN, Sept 15: Injury will force Herschelle Gibbs to withdraw from the World XI to play Australia next month, a South African website reported on Thursday. The opening batsman has been named in the squad that will challenge world champions Australian in one-day matches in Melbourne on Oct 5, 7 and 9 in the inaugural Super Series.

Gibbs told News24 he hurt his right knee on South Africa’s tour of the West Indies in April and subsequently aggravated the problem while playing for English club Lashings.

“I am withdrawing from the World XI side,” the website quoted Gibbs as saying.

“I have just told the manager Goolam Rajah (who is also the South African team’s manager) that I won’t be able to play.

“I have worked with the Western Province physio since my return from my Lashings duty but I am still feeling pain.

“I have also gone for an MRI scan where it showed that I had damaged the cartilage behind my right knee cap.”

Gibbs was scheduled to see a specialist later on Thursday.

The other South Africans in the squad are all-rounders Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock, who lead captain the team, and fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.—Reuters