Double headache puts SA skipper in a spin
The state of play in the high-profile, on-off relationship between Graeme Smith and Minki van der Westhuizen is uncertain, but we can be sure there was no hanky-panky on Sunday night. Graeme had a headache.
The South African cricket captain was struck on the left temple by a ball hit by coach Ray Jennings during fielding practice at the Wanderers on Sunday, just before the start of play in the fourth Test.
Smith was quickly hustled into a Mercedes and driven to a hospital for X-rays and a scan. The diagnosis was that he had mild concussion and would not play that day, although he did return to the field after tea.
The bang on the head came on a day when the captain already had to endure a metaphorical headache: more details in the newspapers of his love affair with the model.
The latest revelations are from a man called Andrew Farr, who spins Miss Van der Westhuizen's soap opera lifestyle with the national cricket captain.
He assured the nation that the two were still very much in love after reports earlier in the week of a split.
One Sunday newspaper reported that the "chemicals" between the two were not right. Let's hope Farr soon provides evidence that all is well in the cricket sideshow called Graeme and Minki's Days of Their Lives.
For all its drama, Smith's injury on Sunday was as significant as some others in this Test match.
England bowler Steve Harmison suffered leg-muscle strain; wicketkeeper Geraint Jones has hurt his left hand; and spinner Ashley Giles dislocated his right thumb.