Petersen is expected to play in the Australia series

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have revealed that their medical team are confident about opening batsman Alviro Petersen making a full recovery in time for the crucial tour of Australia after injuring his hand.

South Africa’s tour of Australia begins on November 9, with the first Test being held at ‘The Gabba’ in Brisbane.

Dr Shuaib Manjra, chairperson of CSA’s medical committee, was quoted by Sport24 as saying: “Alviro Petersen injured his left hand when diving in the slips during a Sunfoil Series game on Thursday, September 20, 2012, X-rays and an MRI scan revealed an undisplaced fracture of his fifth metacarpal. Alviro has been fitted with a custom-made splint to immobilize the fracture area. He will be treated conservatively with measures aimed to accelerate healing.”

Manjra also noted that Petersen would be kept under close watch, and will be re-evaluated in about a month.

“He will be reviewed in four weeks’ times to determine his progress. We are confident that he will be ready for the Australia series,” Manjra added.