|| CF DESK ||

South Africa fast-bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the three-match Twenty20 International series against India that begins in the last week of December.

The 27-year-old suffered a left lateral ankle sprain and will be replaced in the T20 squad by Beuran Hendricks, who made the last appearence for South Africa against Ireland in July 2021.

Hendricks will be joined by inexperienced Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams.

The absence of Ngidi will take a huge toll on South Africa as they have rested premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for the series.

India's tour will start with three T20 matches in Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Johannesburg. They will then switch format for three One Day Internationals between Dec. 17-21, played in the latter two venues and Paarl.

The first test will start on Dec. 26 in Pretoria, with the second on Jan. 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.