Lungi Ngidi back in South Africa squad for Sri Lanka ODIs, Amla misses

Dubai: Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been recalled to South Africa squad for the first three One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka.

Ngidi had proved his fitness after recovering from a knee injury sustained last year. Alongside him, Anrich Nortie, who had hurt his ankle in the opening Mzansi Super League (MSL) last year, has recovered to earn his maiden call-up to the squad.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been retained in a strong-looking squad.

Despite the omission from the first three matches of Hashim Amla, as well as a handful of players who featured in the previous ODI rubber against Pakistan, the Cricket South Africa National Selection Panel convener, Linda Zondi, was keen to stress that none of these players should consider themselves dropped, ICC reported.

“Those players who were in the squad against Pakistan but who have been left out this time have not been dropped. We need to use the first part of this series to examine all the options that are available to us. We know, for example, what Hashim Amla has to offer us and he remains a senior member of our squad,” Zondi said.

“It is great to have Lungi back in the squad after a lengthy period on the sidelines caused by the injury he suffered in the white ball series in Australia last year. His recent form for the Titans has been most impressive and he is clearly matching fit for international cricket again,” he said.

ODI squad for the first three games against Sri Lanka: Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.

South Africa and Sri Lanka are slated to play five ODIs, beginning March 3 at Johannesburg.