Tahir rests for 10 days

Nagpur - South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir is doubtful for Saturday's Cricket World Cup match against India as he has been advised 10 days' rest after fracturing his left thumb.

The spinner sustained the injury during his side's six-run defeat against England in Chennai last Sunday.

"It was a chipped fracture. Scans have been sent back to South Africa and the period of recovery recommended is for 10 days," team manager Mohammed Moosajee said on Thursday.

"Imran bowled in the nets this morning and he's fine because it (injury) is not on the bowling hand.

"The selectors will decide when the 10-day period starts, whether it starts now or after the game against India. Imran is pretty much part of the World Cup squad."

The Pakistan-born spinner has so far taken 11 wickets in three matches, the highest by a South African in the tournament.

South African batsman Hashim Amla said it would be a blow if Tahir was ruled out of Saturday's game, adding his team had the depth in bowling.

"He (Tahir) is a world-class spinner, but I think we have a lot of (bowling) depth in our team," he said.

South Africa are likely to name off-spinner Johan Botha as replacement if Tahir does not play against India.