DURBAN, South Africa (CMC):

The South Africa captain Graeme Smith is suffering from a viral infection and has pulled out of the first Twenty20 against West Indies, as well as Makhaya Ntini's benefit match. The decision is based on medical advice.

In Smith's absence, Morne van Wyk comes in to take the captain's batting spot and Shaun Pollock has been named captain for the Twenty20 fixture on Sunday, December 16, in Port Elizabeth.

Smith contracted the virus on South Africa's tour to Pakistan in October.

"The decision has been taken purely on medical grounds," said Mickey Arthur, South Africa's coach, in a Cricket South Africa news release yesterday.

"His doctors feel that rest and recuperation is the way for him to go, and they have recommended that he takes three weeks off. They are confident that he will be ready for the first Test against West Indies starting on December 26."

The Ntini benefit match, also against West Indies, takes place at East London's Buffalo Park ground on Friday.

The second Twenty20 will be played on January 18, after the three-Test series.

Arthur added that doctors were confident Smith would be fit to play in the first Test against West Indies in Port Elizabeth on December 26.