South Africa have again lost a bowler as fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is rested for the next three ODI series against Australia.
Ngidi picked up a right hamstring injury while playing in a domestic first-class match this week. Cricket South Africa said scans conducted on Wednesday showed that the 30-year-old pacer would need a period of rehabilitation.
That name joins a growing list of South African pacer names that will miss out on the ODI series. They also had to make some changes to their squad before the Australia series, as Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman were ruled out due to hamstring injuries.
Nqobani Mokoena called up
Ngidi has been replaced by seamer Nqobani Mokoena, 20, who was picked by South Africa.
Mokoena recently made his ODI debut against Namibia and was now picked up for the Australia series. The ICC records that he made two appearances in the series and picked up one wicket. The next tournament will provide him the next chance at international level as a young fast bowler.
In a few weeks, the pace resources of South Africa have been completely transformed. Gerald Coetzee, instead of Rabada, and Duan Jansen (after Baartman’s injury), were brought back for the ODIs.
Ngidi’s Test availability remains unclear
Ngidi’s latest injury is also a concern regarding his fitness for South Africa’s longer format series against Australia later in this tour.
The ODI series will kick off on September 24 and the three-match ICC World Test Championship series will start on October 9. The ICC also stated that the possibility of Ngidi being fit for the Test series will be closer to the start of the series, which currently seems a long way off.
Rabada’s Test availability is also being monitored after his hamstring problem. He was later called up by South Africa for the Australia tour in general, but missed the ODI series.
Australia series begins in Durban
South Africa and Australia will play an ODI series starting on September 24 in Durban, then on September 27 in Johannesburg and September 30 in Potchefstroom. The series will be part of the preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The latest injuries have removed strong players from the squad, as South Africa had lined up a solid team, with Temba Bavuma as captain and the likes of Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj. Gerald Coetzee also came back into the ODI lineup as he last featured at the World Cup 2023.
Australia will then compete in South Africa for a three Test series that starts in October. Both sides previously faced each other at the 2025 World Test Championship final and the upcoming Test series will be crucial for both teams’ current championship campaign.
For South Africa, however, the focus will be on the ODI series as they try to see how the bowlers’ squad has responded to the injuries to three frontline pacers.
