South Africa’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final took a hit on Thursday when Lungi Ngidi was ruled out of this summer’s four home Tests due to a groin injury.
A statement confirmed that Ngidi is expected to return to action in January.
The series against Sri Lanka kicks off at Kingsmead on November 27, followed by a series against Pakistan, which begins in Centurion on December 26.
If South Africa wins all of these matches, they will secure a spot in the WTC final at Lord’s in June next year.
Ngidi’s absence is a significant blow to South Africa’s chances.
While he has had modest success in 10 away Tests, taking 16 wickets at 37.37, he has been a much more potent force on home soil, claiming 39 wickets at an impressive average of 17.30 in nine matches.
With Nandre Burger also sidelined due to a lumbar issue, South Africa is now without two key pace threats.
However, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee have returned from conditioning breaks during the ongoing T20I series against India, which has seen Kagiso Rabada rested.
Lutho Sipamla, who played his first international match in almost three years during the third T20I in Centurion on Wednesday, could also be an option.
The release also mentioned that Temba Bavuma, who missed the Test series in Bangladesh last month due to an elbow injury, will undergo a fitness test on Monday to assess his availability for the first Test against Sri Lanka.
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