As South Africa will try to break five-Test loss in the upcoming England series, they have received a big blow as fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test due to injury. He has been diagnosed with a “significant Grade 1 hamstring muscle tear”, which he has picked up during warm-ups ahead of the Mzansi Super League play-offs, Cricket South Africa confirmed the news on Sunday.
#BreakingNews Tshwane Spartans bowler, Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the MSL T20 final against hosts, Paarl Rocks this coming Monday. He sustained a “significant Grade 1 hamstring muscle tear” during the team’s warm-up of the MSL play-off against the NMB Giants in PE. pic.twitter.com/otAlAZdlih
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 15, 2019
“Lungi Ngidi sustained an acute hamstring muscle injury during the warm-up prior to the MSL T20 play-off on Friday. Scans done on Saturday showed a significant Grade 1 tear of his hamstring muscle and therefore he has been ruled out of the MSL T20 final,” the official ICC website quoted CSA chief medical officer Shuaib Manjra as saying.
“He will commence his rehab and return to play in January 2020, and based on his progress, a decision will be made regarding his availability for selection for the Proteas team,” Manjra added.
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South Africa are scheduled to play four Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is where the first Test will start on December 26 in Centurion. Before that, they will be played two practice matches. The 23-year old pacer, Lungi Ngidi had begun the MSL season with the aim of staying fit throughout the season but once again he has faced injury which will be beneficial for the opponents.
Earlier, he had suffered a hamstring strain during the 2019 World Cup match against Bangladesh as well but recovered enough to play the next two matches in the tournament. He last played a Test match for South Africa earlier this year when he was part of the South Africa squad against India at Ranchi.