Johannesburg, Feb. 12: South African cricket captain Graeme Smith is fit and has announced that he will lead the side against the Australians after playing a couple of matches on the domestic circuit.

Smith returned to the practice nets this week for the first time since the famous Sydney Test last month where he bravely batted with a broken hand and busted elbow.

According to Fox Sports, he Smith will turn out for his domestic side the Cape Cobras as he ramps up his preparation for the first Test against Australia at Johannesburg starting on February 26.

The man who led South Africa to a historic Test series win in Australia - and belted 326 runs at 65.20 in three Tests - insisted his fractured hand has totally healed.

Melbourne, Feb. 12 : A group of former Australia cricketers have been told that their six-figure contract fees are not under threat despite the rebel Indian Cricket League postponing next month''s tournament.

Former Australia players Michael Kasprowicz, Jimmy Maher, Ian Harvey, Stuart Law, Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn were told by e-mail this week that the ICL''s March tournament would not take place.

ICL board member Dean Jones said the world''s financial crisis and the fact that the India cricket team''s tour of New Zealand had been lengthened, would have clashed with the ICL. Jones said the tournament would be played later in the year.

Melbourne, Feb. 12: Former Test fast bowler and Pakistan cricket team coach Geoff Lawson has warned Australia that winning the final Chappell-Hadlee clash is vital to their preparations for the tour of South Africa.

With the series currently tied at two all, Fox Sports quoted Lawson as saying: "Winning this last game is very important because you have already seen that winning the last two one-day games has changed the complexion of a lot of things."

"Australia will go to South Africa with a lot more confidence if they can win the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. But if they lose in Brisbane, there will be a lot of doom and gloom again, the world could come down on their shoulders," he added.

Cartegena (Spain), Feb. 12 : Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher was admitted to hospital overnight after crashing during super bike testing at a race track in the Spanish city of Cartagena.

The Daily Telegraph quoted local officials as saying that the 40-year-old had broken two ribs, complained of pains in his neck and wrist and was unconscious for several minutes after the accident.

The newspaper said Schumacher underwent a brain scan "which ruled out serious injuries despite the strong impact his head had against the ground.''''

Lahore, Feb. 12 : Tainted Pakistan speedster Mohammad Asif has decided to challenge the ban imposed on him by the Indian Premier League (IPL) on the plea that he consumed nandrolone unintentionally.

Asif said he is taking the advice of his lawyers and would soon file a petition against the IPL verdict.

"I didn''t take any banned substances intentionally, so, I am not pleased with this ban. We will appeal against the ban. I don''t want to carry the stigma of having been found guilty of taking banned substances," The Nation quoted Asif, as saying.

Hamburg  - France and Germany each lost Wednesday night at home in friendly internationals, while England fielded a record- equalling David Beckham but still slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Spain.

Germany were humbled 1-0 by Norway in Dusseldorf, while the Les Bleus were beaten 2-0 by Argentina in Marseille.

In Dusseldorf, Christian Grindheim scored from close range in the 63rd minute to get a new spell in charge by coach Egil Olsen off to a winning start.