Rhodes on Thursday received specialist treatment in London for the injury, which he sustained rowing a boat during a team-building camp near Cape Town two weeks ago.

He strained tendons above his right wrist, but the damage was regarded as so trivial that he played in a benefit match the following week.

However, the injury has failed to clear up and while Rhodes has been able to bat at nets, he cannot throw. Rhodes' athletic fielding and lightning throws from back ward point are a key element in South Africa's one-day cricket team.

A disappointed Rhodes said he hoped to be fit for South Africa's second warm-up game against Kent in Canterbury on Sunday. Coach Bob Woolmer said Rhodes had been hitting the ball "sweetly" but said being unable to field was a mental setback for the player.

While Rhodes' injurybecame a worry for the World Cup favourites, there was relief when fast bowler Allan Donald came through a fitness test. Donald, who suffered a torn stomach muscle on South Africa's tour of New Zealand last month, bowled at close to full pace in a simulated match situation. He sent down a total of ten overs in two spells.

Donald will play against Sussex, but fellow pace bowler Steve Elworthy was not Considered because of a strained left calf muscle sustained in a collision with assistant coach Corrie van Zyl during a touch rugby game.

Woolmer said it was hoped Elworthy would be back in action for the final warm-up match against Middlesex at Southgate on Tuesday.