South Africa’s pace attack will be without Lungi Ngidi for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia after the seamer sustained a right hamstring injury. Ngidi suffered the strain while playing for the Titans in a domestic first-class match.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the injury following medical assessments. “Following scans conducted on Wednesday, he will undergo a period of rehabilitation,” the board stated. Ngidi is the third frontline fast bowler to be sidelined, joining Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman on the injury list.
The selectors have called up 20-year-old seamer Nqobani Mokoena as Ngidi’s replacement. Mokoena was withdrawn mid-match from a domestic fixture for the Dolphins to join the national squad. He joins a bowling group that also includes Duan Jansen, who was previously drafted in to replace Baartman (left hamstring injury). The inclusion of Duan alongside his brother Marco Jansen marks a rare instance of twin siblings in the same senior Proteas squad.
According to reports, Kagiso Rabada remains a major doubt for the three-match Test series starting October 9 as he recovers from a grade-three hamstring tear. The current ODI squad is also missing Aiden Markram for the series opener in Durban on September 24, though he is expected to return for the matches in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.
Head coach Shukri Conrad noted the importance of the series despite the recent injuries. “With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping the squad as we build towards the tournament,” Conrad said.
The series begins at Kingsmead before moving to the Wanderers on September 27 for the annual ‘Pink Day’ ODI, which serves as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. The final match of the series is scheduled for September 30 in Potchefstroom.
