Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi’s participation in the Proteas’ Test series against England is in doubt.

Ngidi has been sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained during the Mzansi Super League. He has been ruled out of the Tshwane Spartans final against the Paarl Rocks at Boland Park on Monday.

Whether the tall right-armer is fit enough for the second Test against the English at Newlands in Cape Town in early January 2020 remains in the balance. He will not be available for the series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion in late December 2019.

‘Lungi sustained an acute hamstring muscle injury during the warm-up prior to the MSL T20 play-off on Friday,’ said Cricket South Africa chief medical officer, doctor Shuaib Manjra.

‘Scans done on Saturday showed a significant grade one tear of his hamstring muscle and therefore he has been ruled out of the MSL T20 final.

‘He will commence his rehab and return to play program with the aim of getting him fit to play for the Titans in January 2020 and based on his progress, a decision will be made regarding his availability for selection for the Proteas team.’

Former wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher, meanwhile, has been appointed head coach of the Proteas. Boucher has succeeded former head coach Ottis Gibson, whose tenure ended after the World Cup earlier this year.

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