ICC World Cup 2019: Setback for South Africa as injured Lungi Ngidi ruled out of India game

South Africa’s troubles compounded after young fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was ruled out of the team’s next World Cup game against India here Wednesday. Ngidi had suffered a left hamstring injury during team’s defeat against Bangladesh on Sunday and hobbled out of the field bowling only four overs.

“Ngidi suffered a sharp discomfort in his left hamstring. We decided he had a hamstring strain. He will be out for at least week to 10 days,” team doctor Mohammed Moosajee told the mediapersons after the match against Bangladesh at the Oval.

Ngidi has had injury issues having missed IPL due to a side strain while playing a home series against Sri Lanka. Ngidi’s ideal replacement should be Dale Steyn provided he gets fit in time. Steyn bowled a couple of overs in the nets but there is still no clarity on his availability for the India game.

If Steyn doesn’t make it, all-rounder Chris Morris could possibly be an ideal replacement candidate.

There was however some positive news for the Proteas as senior batsman Hashim Amla seems to have recovered from the concussions suffered after being hit in the helmet by Jofra Archer.

“The plan is to have him ready for the India game in Southampton. His initial reports on concussion was inconclusive. The next test showed he could bat. However, he felt some symptoms and was rested for the Bangladesh game,” Moosajee said.

There will be no margin for error against India: Kallis

South Africa have no margin for error after second World Cup loss and should take advantage of India’s ‘first game nerves’ to bring their World Cup campaign back on track, said legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

South Africa, who were thrashed by England in the opening match, suffered their second successive loss in the World Cup, going down by 21 runs against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Kallis believes the Proteas will be under a lot of pressure ahead of their clash against favourites India. “It’s disappointing and frustrating and there is lots of pressure on the next game, otherwise the tournament could be over before it’s really started for South Africa,” Kallis wrote in a column for the ICC.

“There will be no margin for error though. I think you’ll need six wins, maybe five with a really good run rate, to finish in the top four, so South Africa almost need to win every game they will play,” he said.