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Nandre Burger Replaces Injured Lungi Ngidi In South Africa's T20I Squad vs England

Soumyajit Dutta

Lungi Ngidi ruled out of T20I series [Source: @Werries_/X.com]Lungi Ngidi ruled out of T20I series [Source: @Werries_/X.com]

South Africa’s pace attack has taken a significant hit with the news that fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against England due to a right hamstring strain. The injury will sideline Ngidi for the remainder of the series, with South Africa naming Nandre Burger as his replacement ahead of the second T20I match scheduled to be played in Manchester.

Lungi Ngidi, one of South Africa’s premier T20 fast bowlers, has been an impactful presence with the ball in recent years, known for his pace, ability to generate bounce, and skill in the death overs. His absence leaves a gap in South Africa’s bowling ranks at a crucial juncture in the short-format series. 

South Africa Find Strength In Burger

The replacement, Nandre Burger, is a promising talent who has impressed in domestic circuits with his pace and control. Burger’s inclusion signals South Africa’s intent to maintain a wicket-taking and aggressive bowling unit despite Ngidi’s injury setback.

Burger has played 5 T20Is before while scalping 4 wickets, but has an expensive economy rate of 8.89 and a strike rate of 28.5. While he has the experience of facing England in ODIs. The T20I unit of the Three Lions will be a new challenge for the 30-year-old.

For South Africa, the series is an opportunity to regroup and find winning combinations ahead of upcoming international commitments, including the ICC T20 World Cup later in the year.

Ngidi’s hamstring injury recovery timeline remains uncertain, but South Africa’s medical team will be focused on ensuring he regains full fitness for future fixtures. Meanwhile, the Proteas bowling unit will need to collectively step up to compensate for the loss of their spearhead.

South Africa's Updated Squad Against England

Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka