NZ vs SA | No Lungi Ngidi in second Test following a back strain

South Africa will miss Lungi Ngidi in the second and final Test against New Zealand as the pacer has been ruled out of the same following a back strain. Ngidi also missed the first Test that saw South Africa losing the match by an innings and 276 runs in Christchurch. While New Zealand will continue to focus on the momentum, the news comes as a blow for the visitors.

"Because he hasn't been able to bowl last week, I don't think his bowling loads are up to the standard of preparing for Test matches," captain Dean Elgar told reporters. He added, "He hasn't been training with us, he's only been bowling off a short run-up, which has been a bit of a setback for us. We know Lungi’s been a key figure within our bowling line-up. So it’s a bit disappointing that he’s in the situation that he’s in now.”

South Africa played four pacemen in Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Duanne Olivier and Glenton Stuurman but the strategy did not favour them much. New Zealand batters scored 482 runs the bowlers ran through the South Africa line-up in no time to restrict them for 111 in the second innings resulting in South Africa’s second-worst Test defeat ever. In the first innings, South Africa were bundled out for a mere 95. 

The Proteas may think of replacing Glenton Stuurman from the first Test after his forgetful performance (1-124) on the debut match. They can choose between Lutho Sipamla or Keshav Maharaj if they consider opting for a specialist spinner. 

Since multiple players are not in good shape, Elgar hinted at possible selection changes without mentioning any name. "I'm sure there are guys who are a little bit low in confidence, especially from a batting point of view," he said.

The second and final Test match between South Africa and New Zealand is scheduled to start on 25 February 2022 at Christchurch. The Kiwis will be in the blink of creating history, while the visitors would be fielding for pride. 

Discover more
Top Stories
news

PSL 2022 | Qualifier: Shahnawaz Dahani anchors Multan Sultans to another final

Multan Sultans rode on an exceptional bowling performance from Shahanawaz Dahani in the later stage of the Qualifier match against Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2022 to register a place in the final for the second time on the trot. The right-arm pacer scalped three wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs to rattle Lahore’s middle order during the course. Qalandars who were chasing 164 in 20 overs were pushed on the back foot after they lost three wickets for 48 runs in the ninth over before in-form Fakhar Zaman unveiled some exciting power-hitting especially in one of Imran Tahir’s over where he smashed the spinner for three consecutive maximums. Fakhar along with Harry Brook provided the resistance with a partnership of 54 runs for the fourth wicket before Dahani got into the act and trapped Brook in front of the stumps for 13 off 12. Brook’s departure certainly broke the shackles as the Lahore team began to lose wickets at regular succession and were reduced to 128/9 before concluding the innings at 135/9 in 20 overs. Apart from Dahani, Rumman Raees returned with figures of 1/15 in three overs while David Willey, Asif Afridi and Khushdil Shah also picked up a wicket apiece. Fakhar top-scored for his side with 63 off 45 which included four maximums and two fours. Earlier, in the day, Multan Sultans also faced some struggle in scoring runs. They lost an early wicket in the form of Shan Masood who was removed by Hafeez for 2 off 5 but Rizwan who opened the innings was joined by Aamer Azmat and the two batters steadied the ship for the side and put up 47 runs for the second wicket. Azmat eventually departed for 33 off 22. Rizwan was then joined by Rilee Rossouw and the batsmen put up an unbeaten partnership of 113 runs for the third wicket. While the skipper remained unbeaten at 53 off 51, Rossouw was not out for 65 in 42 deliveries. Hafeez was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up one wicket for 16 runs in 4 overs. “We were planning to keep wickets in hand, and credit goes to Rossouw and Azmat who did well. I wasn't able to play as fluidly as I usually do but they did really well. At the break, I felt that 160-170 was a good score, a winning score. The bowlers did really well, especially the spinners first and then Dahani along with Willey did well,” Rizwan said after the match. Lahore Qalandars still have a chance to get through to the final as they will now play either Peshawar Zalmi or Islamabad United in the second Eliminator and the winner of that game will lock horns with Multan in the title clash.