Kallis, Smith are overweight: Wessels

JOHANNESBURG: The South African cricket squad is faring badly in Australia because too many of them, including captain Graeme Smith, are overweight and unfit, says former captain Kepler Wessels.

Writing in his column in the Afrikaans weekly Rapport, Wessels said this was probably one of the reasons why Smith was battling with his batting, as he was moving too slowly.

"The South African team is not fit. That is why I believe there are so many injuries," Wessels wrote.

"Too many of the South African players are unfit and weak, and that can lead to big problems on a long, hard tour.

"I would like to see their fitness results as opposed to that of Australia. Look at the Aussies, nobody there looks overweight. A comparison of especially tests on the percentage fat of individuals in the two sides would be very interesting."

Wessels said it appeared to him that the team did not exercise as often as they did before. "I hope I am wrong, but there could actually not be any other reason for the many injuries in the team."

Wessels said the many injuries in the team were not a good sign.

"The excuse tendered in some circles that there is too much cricket being played and that the players are tired, does not make sense. All the countries are in the same boat."