JOHANNESBURG, July 23: South Africa have called for an extra player to fly out with the rest of the squad to Sri Lanka on Monday as cover for the injured Herschelle Gibbs.

Opening batsman Gibbs twisted his ankle in a training camp at the Pretoria University High Performance Centre this week.

South Africa spokesman Gerald de Kock said on Friday that the United Cricket Board had agreed to add another player to the 14-man squad for the two Tests.

Two players - debutant middle-order batsman J.P. Duminy and all-rounder Alan Dawson - are due to join the squad on Aug 13 for the five limited-overs internationals. De Kock said the extra player was to be named later on Friday.

South Africa coach Eric Simons said: "There is a degree of concern that Herschelle will not have recovered in time for the first test and we have asked for a replacement, even though Gibbs will accompany us". -Reuters