South Africa have suffered another setback in their pace-bowling department ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia. The Proteas will now be without Lungi Ngidi after scans confirmed that the fast bowler requires a period of rehabilitation for a right hamstring injury sustained during a domestic first-class match.

Ngidi’s withdrawal adds to South Africa’s growing list of unavailable pace options, with Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman already ruled out of the series. The Proteas will now have to rely on a significantly reshaped bowling attack when they take on Australia in the upcoming ODI series.

Lungi Ngidi ruled out of Australia ODI series

Ngidi picked up the injury while playing for the Titans against the Dolphins in the first round of the domestic first-class season. He bowled eight overs in the Dolphins’ first innings and another 8.3 overs in the second innings, although he spent periods off the field during the match before returning and being present at the end.

Scans carried out on September 18 confirmed that the fast bowler would need a period of rehabilitation, ruling him out of all three ODIs against Australia. His workload in the match was also lower than that of fellow frontline quicks Marco Jansen and Beyers Swanepoel, who bowled 26 and 20.3 overs respectively.

There is also uncertainty over Ngidi’s availability for the three-Test series against Australia, which begins on October 9. A decision on whether he will recover in time for the longer format will be taken closer to the start of the Test series.

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South Africa name replacement after Ngidi’s injury setback

South Africa have named 20-year-old fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena as Ngidi’s replacement. Mokoena recently received his maiden ODI cap during South Africa’s tour of Namibia and now gets another opportunity at international level. Mokoena was representing the Dolphins in their first-class match against Western Province when he received the call-up.

He bowled 19 overs on the opening day and finished with figures of 1/78 before being withdrawn from the match to join the national squad. The South African pace attack for the Australia ODIs will now feature Marco, Duan Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Kwena Maphaka and Mokoena among the available options.

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