South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the second Test match against New Zealand due to a back strain. He also missed the first test match in which South Africa faced a heavy innings thrashing by the hosts. The second Test will begin on Friday at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Ngidi played a key role in their series against India in January. Ngidi picked 15 wickets in that series with an average of 15. Without him, the proteas pace attack struggled big time in the first test match. Speaking to the media ahead of the second test match, captain Dean Elgar informed that Ngidi is far from getting a match fitness as he hadn’t bowled last week.
“Lungi Ngidi has only been bowling off a short run-up”- Dean Elgar
“Because he hasn’t been able to bowl last week, I don’t think his bowling loads are up to the standard of preparing for Test matches,” captain Dean Elgar told reporters.
“He hasn’t been training with us, he’s only been bowling off a short run-up, which has been a bit of a setback for us. We know Lungi’s been a key figure within our bowling line-up. So it’s a bit disappointing that he’s in the situation that he’s in now,” he added.
The visitors handed a Test debut to Glenton Stuurman but the 29-year couldn’t live up to expectations as he conceded 124 runs for one wicket. The 4-man pace attack consisting of Rabada, Marco Jansen, Duanne Olivier, and Stuurman conceded 482 runs to the hosts. And in return, they got bowled for 95 and 111.
Elgar admitted that the batting unit has been low in confidence but they are looking to bounce back strongly,
“I’m sure there are guys who are a little bit low in confidence, especially from a batting point of view,” said Dean Elgar.
In the second Test match, New Zealand will be chasing a historic series win against the Proteas as they never won a Test series against them before. New Zealand is likely to go with the same XI. Though Trent Boult returned from paternity leave, he couldn’t give himself enough time in the nets to get ready for the match.
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