[ad_1]
Lungi Ngidi
Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
- The Proteas are sweating from the fitness of fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Glenton Stuurman ahead of Test 1 against Sri Lanka.
- Proteas coach Mark Boucher hinted that Stuurman could make his testing debut at Centurion on Saturday if he’s fit.
- Boucher said the Proteas will make a call on Friday about the starting XI.
Proteas trainer Mark Boucher revealed that they are monitoring the fitness of fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Glenton’s Companion before Saturday’s opening test against Sri Lanka.
The Proteas no longer have their star pitcher Kagiso Rabada, who is not medically cleared to play after suffering a right adductor strain.
Boucher told reporters on Thursday that Ngidi “has not felt very well”, although he played well in Thursday’s training session.
Ngidi has had more than his fair share of injury concerns in the past, with the most recent case in which the 24-year-old missed England’s four-game test series earlier this year.
Boucher admitted that while there are doubts about the availability of Ngidi and Stuurman, he is optimistic that the fast bowling duo “will get through.”
“Without revealing too much, Lungi has not felt well and Glenton had a little bruise,” said Boucher.
“I was a little more worried yesterday (Wednesday), but today (Thursday) they went well.
“Lungi played really well in practice today. We gave him a little extra load to push himself and he came out with great success. Glenton had a problem, but he seemed to get over it.
“If they wake up tomorrow (Friday) feeling good, then they have submitted their names for the national team, which is always good for us.”
READ | Introducing ‘Tokka’, the man who can become Vernon Philander’s successor
Stuurman received his first call from Proteas after outstanding performances on the ball for the Warriors in the 4-day Franchise Series.
If Stuurman is fit and ready, he will become 111th in the South African test since his readmission.
Meanwhile, CSA confirmed on Thursday that the entire team tested negative from its fourth and final round of Covid-19 testing prior to the test series against Sri Lanka.
Saturday’s game starts at 10:00.
Protea Squad
Quinton de Kock (captain, Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Aiden Markram (Titans), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Corporal Cobras), Migael Pretorius (Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Lutho Sipamla ( Lions), Raynard van Tonder (Knights).
