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Ngidi is out until January; Temba Bavuma doubtful for first Test against Sri Lanka

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South African 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.

Ngidi, who has not played cricket since the ODI series against Ireland in Abu Dhabi last month, underwent a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period, during which scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He will begin a rehabilitation program and is expected to return to action in January.

Temba Bavuma is also a doubt for South Africa’s first home test of the summer against Sri Lanka, but is making positive progress in his recovery from a left elbow injury and will undergo a physical on November 18. The series will begin in Durban on November 27.
Bavuma, South Africa’s leading run-scorer in Tests over the past three years, has not played any competitive cricket since leaving the field in an ODI against Ireland early last month and did not feature in South Africa’s 2-2 win. 0 in the Test series in Bangladesh. He will not play for his national team, the Lions, in a top-flight match starting today in Potchefstroom, which would have been the last chance of playing time before the first Test against Sri Lanka on November 25.

If Bavuma cannot play, Aiden Markam will lead South Africa, albeit without much recent form to his name. Markram has only crossed fifty once in his last seven Test innings and has had a tough time in the T20 circuit, where he leads the team. He hasn’t gone over 30 in his last 12 innings. Bavuma’s place in the batting order could be retained by Ryan Rickelton, who played in the Tests against Bangladesh with modest performances of 27, 1* and 12.

Bavuma had suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly while advancing to complete a run against Ireland. He retired injured at 35 in that game and was unable to field. The injury is on the same elbow that Bavuma injured in 2022 during a T20I tour of India. He was ruled out of South Africa’s tour of England later that year.

Bavuma has only played in five of South Africa’s 10 Tests since taking charge in February last year. In the 2023-25 ​​World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Bavuma has only captained South Africa in three of his eight matches and batted in just two, after being injured in last year’s Boxing Day Test. South Africa is in a strong position to qualify for the WTC final. They need to win all four home tests to secure their places at Lord’s, but three wins and other results in their favor could also take them there.

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