Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the Proteas’ upcoming three-match Dafabet One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia after suffering a right hamstring injury.
The right-arm quick experienced discomfort while playing for the Momentum Multiply Titans against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in the opening round of the 1st Class Series. Scans conducted on Wednesday confirmed the damage, sidelining him for a period of rehabilitation.
The injury forces yet another adjustment to the South African squad, adding to a growing medical list after pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and seamer Ottneil Baartman were both previously ruled out through injuries.
The three-match ODI series kicks off on Thursday, September 24 at Kingsmead in Durban, followed by matches at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on September 27 and the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on September 30.
Ngidi faces a race against time to recover for the crucial three-match Test series against Australia, which begins on October 9 at Kingsmead.
Medical staff will monitor his progress closely over the coming weeks.
In-article Gallery Widget not supported yet.
Dolphins seamer Nqobani Mokoena has been added to the 16-player ODI squad as Ngidi’s replacement.
Consequently, Mokoena has been pulled from his ongoing four-day match against the YesPlay Western Province Cobras to join the national setup.
