Injured Lungi Ngidi to miss the ODI series against Sri Lanka

Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi has been sidelined for the ODI series against Sri Lanka with an abdominal injury. The 20-year-old, who made his debut in the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka and responded with six wickets from his first two games, sustained the injury in the third match at Newlands on Wednesday and will need about 3-4 weeks to recover.

He was the player of the match on debut, for taking 2 for 12 in two overs, and followed it up with a career-best figure of 4 for 19 in his second game. Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee said: “Lungi landed awkwardly on his left hip while fielding. Subsequent scans confirmed an abdominal muscle wall tear. It is a sensitive injury because the abdominal wall is highly loaded during the fast-bowling action so full recovery is important before he can resume bowling at 100% match intensity. He will follow a thorough rehab and treatment plan to give him the best opportunity to return to full fitness.”

Ngidi was reduced to bowling just two overs in the final game in Cape Town after sustaining the injury when he appeared to have landed awkwardly on his left hip while attempting a diving stop. His availability for selection for the latter part of the ODI series against New Zealand will depend on him passing the required fitness test.

Sri Lanka had earlier won the T20I series 2-1 after the batters clinched a penultimate ball thriller to hand the hosts a surprising defeat. Niroshan Dickwella was adjudged the man of the match for his 51-ball 68 at the top. He also grabbed the Man of the Series award for his prolific run in the series. South Africa had earlier won the 1st match by 19 runs before the visitors came back to level the score line 1-1.

Also read- Pakistan’s World Cup 2019 qualification in danger

The 1st ODI between the two teams will be played tomorrow (28th January) at Port Elizabeth.