Courtesy: CSA/X
Lungi Ngidi, the South African pacer, has been ruled out of the upcoming home summer of cricket due to a groin injury for which he is set to undergo rehabilitation programme. The injury to Lungi Ngidi was revealed when he was taking a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period organised by the Cricket South Africa (CSA), which is why he is expected to return to cricket in the latter half of January only after the home summer of cricket ends.
Following the conclusion of the ongoing four-match T20I series against India, the South African cricket team are slated to play two Tests against Sri Lanka in Durban and Gqeberha, starting later this month. Following that, Pakistan cricket team will arrive on the South African shores to play three T20I and three T20I in December before two Tests at the turn of the year in Centurion and Cape Town.
Lungi Ngidi is expected to return to play in January: CSA
In their press release, CSA announced the groin injury sustained by Lungi Ngidi and wrote, “Proteas Men’s fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, as well as the all-format tour against Pakistan, due to a groin injury. The 28-year-old recently underwent a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period, during which scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and is expected to return to play in January.”
After Nandre Burger was sidelined due to a lumbar problem, the injury to Lungi Ngidi has depleted the fast bowling reserves of South Africa somewhat, especially when they need to win their remaining four Test matches, to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final next year. During his nine Test matches in South Africa, the right-arm fast bowler has picked a whopping 39 wickets at an average of 17.30.
Moreover, the press release also gave an update on Temba Bavuma in regards to him undergoing a fitness test on Monday, November 18, to determine his availability for the upcoming summer of cricket in South Africa after he didn’t play the Test series in Bangladesh due to an elbow injury last month.
