South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will miss the three-match ODI series against Australia after suffering a right hamstring injury during a domestic first-class match.
Ngidi felt discomfort during the match and underwent scans afterwards. The assessment showed that he needs a period of rehabilitation.
The injury forces another change to South Africa’s squad after Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman also missed the series through injury.
South Africa have called up young fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena to replace Ngidi.
Mokoena made his ODI debut during the recent series against Namibia. He played two matches and took one wicket.
Ngidi’s absence affects South Africa’s preparations for the Australia series, which starts in Durban on September 24. The second ODI takes place in Johannesburg on September 27 before the teams meet in Potchefstroom on September 30.
His availability for the subsequent ICC World Test Championship series against Australia remains under assessment. South Africa will make a decision closer to the start of that series on October 9.
The Proteas now have a 16-man ODI squad for the three-match series.
Temba Bavuma will captain a group that includes Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs.
For Mokoena, the call-up provides another opportunity to build on his first ODI appearance against Namibia.
South Africa will now begin the Australia series without three experienced pace options, with Ngidi joining Rabada and Baartman on the injury list.
