London: South Africa suffered a major blow ahead of their opening Test against England as pacer Lungi Ngidi picked a hamstring muscle injury during the warm-up in the ongoing Mzansi Super League. He will miss the first Test against England.
Ngidi will not be able to play the final of the MSL, Cricket South Africa chief medical officer Shuaib Manjra said. He will attend rehab and return-to-play programme with the aim of getting himself fit for the Momentum Multiply Titans in January 2020.
"Lungi Ngidi sustained an acute hamstring muscle injury during the warm-up prior to the MSL T20 play-off on Friday. Scans done on Saturday showed a significant Grade 1 tear of his hamstring muscle and therefore he has been ruled out of the MSL T20 final," Manjra said.
"He will commence his rehab and return-to-play program with the aim of getting him fit to play for the Momentum Multiply Titans in January 2020 and based on his progress, a decision will be made regarding his availability for selection for the Proteas team," he added.
England will play four Tests against South Africa, followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is. The first Test will be played at Centurion from December 26.
