Lungi Ngidi sidelined for the second Test with back strain

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi would not be participating in the second Test as Dean Elgar’s side faces New Zealand for the final match. In the last match, South Africa failed to curtail New Zealand players who bulldozed them to a massive win with an innings and 276 runs in Christchurch. The team now prepares for a second showdown at the same venue which witnessed their humiliation.

Ngidi’s unavailability would be a big blow to South Africa’s plans to salvage a draw and save face despite being underhand. The 25-year-old paceman missed the first match as well with the expectations to return for the last match but once again South Africa would meet Black Caps with a weaker bowling crew without Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, who is also dealing with injury concerns.