Cricket

South Africa's fast-bowling spearhead Lungi Ngidi has been sidelined for an extended period due to a groin injury, ruling him out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka and the all-format tour of Pakistan. The setback is a significant blow to the Proteas, who are set to embark on a crucial home summer.Ngidi's injury was detected during a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning program. Scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy, a condition that affects the tendons in the groin area. The 26-year-old will now undergo a rehabilitation program and is expected to return to action in January.Meanwhile, South Africa's Test captain Temba Bavuma remains a doubt for the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on November 27 in Durban. Bavuma has been recovering from a left elbow injury sustained during the ODI series against Ireland last month. He will undergo a fitness test on November 18 to determine his availability.If Bavuma is unable to play, Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas. However, Markram's recent form has been underwhelming, with the batter failing to score more than 33 in his last six Test innings. Ryan Rickelton, who played in the Tests against Bangladesh, could retain Bavuma's spot in the batting order.Bavuma's injury is a concern for South Africa, who are aiming to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Proteas need to win all four home Tests to secure their spot at Lord's, but three wins and other favorable results could also get them there.South Africa's Test schedule for the home summer is as follows:* 1st Test vs. Sri Lanka: November 27-December 1, Durban* 2nd Test vs. Sri Lanka: December 6-10, Centurion* 1st Test vs. Pakistan: December 26-30, Centurion* 2nd Test vs. Pakistan: January 3-7, Johannesburg* 3rd Test vs. Pakistan: January 11-15, Rawalpindi

Paarl Royals, one of the six franchises in the South African T20 league (SA20), have retained ten South African players for the upcoming 2025 season. Captain David Miller, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo are among the notable names on the list.The Royals have also retained Kwena Maphaka and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who were impressive signings in the inaugural edition of the SA20 in 2024. However, the franchise has released four players to make room for new additions: Dane Vilas, Evan Jones, Wihan Lubbe, and Ferisco Adams.To bolster their squad, the Royals have traded seam-bowling allrounder Dayyaan Galiem from Joburg Super Kings in exchange for Tabraiz Shamsi. The final squad, including overseas signings and released players, will be confirmed after the auction."We are delighted to go into the upcoming auction with a very formidable core of capped and uncapped South African players," said Kumar Sangakkara, Royals' Director of Cricket. "After the disappointment of last season where we faltered towards the latter stages of the tournament, it was important to re-look at the squad and make certain changes."Meanwhile, MI Cape Town, another SA20 franchise, has retained Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Delano Potgieter, Thomas Kaber, and Connor Esterhuizen. They have released Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Grant Roelofsen, and Neelan van Heerden.The new SA20 season is set to begin on January 9, 2025.

Lungi Ngidi, the South African fast bowler, has established himself as a formidable force in international cricket since his Test debut in 2018. With 204 wickets across formats, he remains a key cog in the Proteas' bowling attack.Growing up, Ngidi idolized Makhaya Ntini, who coached him at a camp. He also admired Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander, and has had the privilege of playing alongside some of these legends.Ngidi's partnership with Kagiso Rabada has been a cornerstone of South Africa's bowling success. He describes Rabada as one of his best friends, and they have developed a strong on-field chemistry.Among Indian pacers, Ngidi has been impressed by Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav. He acknowledges the skill and consistency of these bowlers.Ngidi has faced some of the world's best batters, including Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Babar Azam, and David Warner. He considers these players to be the biggest challenges he has encountered.Reflecting on his Test debut against India, Ngidi recalls it as a cherished moment. He dismissed Kohli and K.L. Rahul, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.Ngidi's journey with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL has been a memorable one. He won the title in his first season and enjoyed playing alongside legends like M.S. Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suresh Raina.Beyond cricket, Ngidi enjoys spending time with loved ones and exploring new interests. He plays the piano and is a fan of Kid Cudi.Despite being one of South Africa's strongest sides, they have not played many Tests in recent years. Ngidi expresses his desire to play more Test cricket, as he believes it is the toughest and most rewarding format.