Durban (South Africa), Apr.1 (ANI): South Africa have been buoyed by the news that all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been cleared of a groin strain and is rated a fair chance to play in Friday's one-day international against Australia in Durban.

The star all-rounder broke down with a groin-muscle injury bowling on the last day of the Cape Town Test match on March 22.

"It was thought that he had a tear. But the scans showed he has no tear which is very good news, just some scar tissue,'' team spokesman Michael Owen-Smith said at a South Africa training session.

"Jacques is a chance to play on Friday.''

In more good news for the home side leading up to Friday's ODI series-opener, left-armer Wayne Parnell has been added to Cricket South Africa's list of nationally contracted players.

"It's a huge honour for me,'' Parnell said.

"I'm only 15 months out of school. I would never ever have thought of this happening so soon.''

The pace bowler is the 17th player to be handed a central contract, which runs until April 30, 2010.

Parnell has played one ODI match, against Australia in Perth in January.

"At 19 years old, Wayne Parnell is the youngest player to be awarded a CSA contract,'' CSA chief Gerald Majola said. (ANI)