Five South African players ill: report

South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee on Wednesday was quoted as saying that five South African cricketers have fallen ill but that they were expected to recover in time for Thursday's clash against Zimbabwe.

According to a report in the South African website Sports24, Moosajee said the players were down with a viral infection. This after three members of New Zealand too had been diagnosed with a stomach bug.

"We have a few guys who have gone down with viral infection, vomiting and diarrhoea but I am happy to say that they are on the mend."

"I am hopeful come tomorrow, all 15 will be fit to take the field," he said while declining to identify the players struck by illness," Moosajee was quoted as saying but the same report did not have names of the players.

Several members of the South African team though trained in Hamantota on Wednesday and looked set for their opening clash here.