JOHANNESBURG, May 25: South African vice-captain Jacques Kallis is likely to miss tour to Sri Lanka in August as he would be recovering from surgery, but is expected to be fit in time for ICC Champions Trophy in India in September.

Authorities allayed concerns that Cricketer of Year will not be part of squad for 2007 Cricket World Cup in West Indies next March.

Kallis will undergo surgery next week to repair “tennis elbow” injury that has plagued him since November last year, keeping him out of a number of games since last season.

Proteas physiotherapist Shane Jabaar said: “The decision to undergo surgery to his left elbow was taken against background of chronic pain and inflammation through what is commonly known as a tennis elbow.

“Jacques will undergo one-hour operation on a tendon in his elbow on Wednesday, and will be out of clinic same day. He will be in splints for 10 to 12 days, and then start his rehabilitation over a period of four to six weeks.”

Proteas coach Mickey Arthur said: “Everybody is confident surgery will do the trick, and Jacques will be firing on all cylinders again for Champions Trophy and World Cup even if it means missing Sri Lanka tour”.

Convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat said team to tour Sri Lanka in August will be announced in June.

“We'll watch Jacques' progress carefully in lead up to the announcement,” he said.

Kallis recently become only second player after Sir Garfield Sobers to score more than 8,000 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket.—Agencies