South Africa has been dealt with yet another blow, as Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia due to a hamstring injury. Lungi Ngidi sustained the injury during a first-class domestic match between Titans and Dolphins, and scans confirmed that he would need a period of rehabilitation. Unfortunately for the Proteas Men, Lungi Ngidi is the third seamer after Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman to be ruled out of the series.
Last week, Lungi Ngidi had been bowling significantly fewer overs than fellow frontline bowlers Marco Jansen and Beyers Swanepoel. He was also on and off the field intermittently; however, he was able to be present for the conclusion of the match. By then, Dolphins player Ottneil Baartman too had tweaked his hamstring and had become unable to bat.
Nqobani Mokoena Eyes Golden Chance Against Australia
Nqobani Mokoena has been included in the ODI squad against Australia as Lungi Ngidi’s replacement. The 20-year-old quick received his first ODI cap during South Africa’s tour of Namibia and was playing for the Dolphins in the first-class competition against Western Province. In that first-class game, he bowled 19 overs on Day 1, registering a tally of 78 for 1. Bayanda Majola will replace him in the Dolphins as Mokoena comes up to play for South Africa.
South Africa have quite a number of fast-bowling options lined up against the Kangaroos, with Marco Jansen leading the attack, accompanied by his twin Duan Jansen. Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka are the other fast-bowling potentials as the entire bowling unit isn’t completely fragile but lacks experience against a world-class Australian cricket team.
South Africa’s Updated Squad Against Australia
Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs.
Lungi Ngidi’s Test Availability Still Unclear
While Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the ODI leg of the series, the Proteas Men have not yet determined whether he will recover in time for the subsequent three-Test series against the Kangaroos, which begins on October 9. Cricket South Africa’s statement regarding the pacer’s injury read as such: “Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the three-match Dafabet ODI series against Australia with a right hamstring injury. His availability for the subsequent Test series will be assessed closer to the start of the series.”
South Africa are also sweating on key pacer Kagiso Rabada’s availability, who injured a hamstring in winter training and has not played any cricket since the IPL in May.
Also Read: SA vs AUS: Ottneil Baartman Ruled Out Of ODI Series