The seam bowler, Lungi Ngidi, has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as well as against Pakistan.

Ngidi has been ruled out due to a groin injury and will not be available for selection. He is set to undergo rehabilitation for the injury.

A replacement is yet to be named for Ngidi, however, the Proteas have the luxury of having two fast bowlers back in Marco Jansen of the North West Dragons as well as Gerald Coetzee of the Titans.

Meanwhile, the Proteas still don’t have any clarity on the captain Temba Bavuma who missed the tour to Bangladesh, and a call will be made regarding his availability on Monday.

Temba Bavuma. Photo: Cricinfo

Cricket South Africa confirmed that Ngidi will be out until at least January which rules him out of the Sri Lanka as well as Pakistan series, while a call on Bavuma’s fitness will be decided on Monday. Bavuma injured his elbow while batting in the recent One-Day International series against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates.

“Proteas Men’s fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, as well as the all-format tour against Pakistan, due to a groin injury.

‘Scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy’

“The 28-year-old recently underwent a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period, during which scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and is expected to return to play in January.

“Test captain Temba Bavuma is making positive progress in his recovery from a left elbow injury and will undergo a fitness test on Monday, 18 November to determine his availability for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts in Durban on 27 November.”

Should Bavuma not be declared fit it is expected that Aiden Markram will captain the team. In his first series as the Test captain, Markram led the Proteas to a historic two-nil series whitewash in Bangladesh.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh