||Desk Report||

South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out for at least three months, as scans revealed ligament damage in his right knee.

Ngidi injured his knee while fielding in the one-off T20I against Australia last week.

“He underwent investigations and further assessments with knee specialists upon his return to South Africa, which revealed a significant ligament injury to the right knee,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement on Friday (November 23).

“Due to the significant nature of the injury, he will require a minimum of 12 weeks of rest and rehabilitation to make a successful return to play.”

The 22-year-old will miss the entire upcoming series against Pakistan at home. He will not feature in the ongoing Mzansi Super League as well, where he was due to represent Tshwane Spartans.

However, a timely recovery could see the bowler play in South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in March next year, which is their last series before the ICC World Cup. The Proteas will face hosts England in their first match at the World Cup, on May 30.

Ngidi has taken 26 wickets in 13 ODIs since making his debut in February and will finish as the highest wicket-taker for South Africa this year in the 50-over format, as they have no more ODIs scheduled in 2018.