South Africa skipper Smith set to miss start of England Test series

Smith's Rajasthan Royals side won the lucrative Twenty20 tournament by three wickets with a thrilling last-ball victory over Chennai Super Kings at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.

The 27-year-old was unable to take part in the showpiece final for the Jaipur-based franchise because of a hamstring problem he sustained during the semi-final against Delhi Daredevils.

Hamstrung: South African batsman Graeme Smith will miss the Test series after picking an injury.

He is scheduled to join up with his international team-mates in Johannesburg for a short training camp before a tour match against Middlesex at Uxbridge on July 4.

But the left-handed opener admitted he is likely to miss that match and the first Test, which starts at Lord's on July 14.

"I've got a Grade Two tear in my hamstring and it looks as through I will be out for four weeks," Smith said after the match.

"I'm at a push to make it in time for the first Test at Lord's."

Yusuf Pathan inspired Rajasthan to victory with a performance that saw him finish with three for 22 to restrict the Super Kings to 163 for five.

Pathan then provided the backbone of the Royals' reply with a 39-ball 56 before captain Shane Warne and Sohail Tanvir saw them home, the latter grabbing the one run needed off the final ball.

Warne admitted the tournament had been a "fantastic journey" for his Royals side, who were largely overlooked as a contender in the lead-up to the competition.

The Royals, who had Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas in their ranks earlier in the campaign, were the cheapest side in the tournament and were disregarded as a threat after failing to sign an icon player.

"It has been a fantastic journey for us. Over the seven weeks I think the whole squad had a wonderful time," Warne said following the match.

"The team gelled together very quickly and the results have shown that. It has been one hell of a ride and one that everyone has enjoyed.

"I have been proud to see the young guys learning the game of cricket and executing their skills so well.

"Getting down to the final ball in the final, I don't think a script writer could have written it any better than that.

"As soon as I saw Tanvir hit it through the off side I thought I was about to rip both hamstrings off I was running that hard.

"I am getting a bit older now so I don't know if I can handle these close finishes any more.

"I don't think I have experienced the spirit we've had in this team in any other during my 20 years in cricket.

"The crowds all over India have been amazing. They make the guys want to play excellent cricket.

"I just think there has been a wonderful feel about the tournament from the crowds, press and players."