Pacer Lungi Ngidi out of Boxing Day Test due to hamstring injury

South Africa have suffered a setback of sorts as pacer Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming Boxing Day Test against England due to hamstring injury. The pace has suffered from a grade-1 hamstring tear and will be expected to be fit in January. Ngidi will also miss the finals of Mzansi Super League.

Cricket South Africa, Chief Medical Officer, Shoaib Manjra said that pacer Lungi Ngidi has sustained a hamstring injury while playing for Tshwane Spartans in the Mzansi Super League. Further examination revealed that the quick bowler has suffered from hamstring muscle tear and will take atleast two or three weeks to regain full fitness.

He is currently going through a phase of rehabilitation and will be working hard to play first-class cricket for Titans in January next year. Based on his form and fitness, he will then be considered for national selection. Since making his debut in January 2018 against India, Lungi Ngidi has played five completed matches for South Africa. The pace bowler has been out of action and has struggled with fitness issues since past one year.

Ngidi missed the bilateral one-day series against Sri Lanka due to abdomen injury.  Then a hip injury and knee injury kept him out of series in New Zealand and Australia. He also suffered a hamstring problem during the World Cup and missed crucial games for South Africa.

Pace bowler Lungi Ngidi was not picked for the first two games of the series against India. He made his appearance in the final game at Ranchi and failed to make an impact with the new-ball as South Africa suffered their first whitewash against India in Test cricket. Since he then has made appearances for first-class competition and played Mzansi Super League competition this year. In five Test matches, Ngidi has claimed 15 wickets at an average of 25.06.