Ngidi ruled out of ODI series against Australia

South Africa's fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia due to a right hamstring injury, the country's cricket board confirmed. The injury, sustained during a domestic first-class match, makes Ngidi the third senior pace bowler to be sidelined for the series, following Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman. Cricket South Africa announced the squad update on September 18, 2026, stating that Ngidi will miss all three ODIs. The 30-year-old experienced discomfort while playing for the Titans against the Dolphins in the opening round of the domestic first-class season. Scans conducted on Wednesday confirmed the extent of the injury, and he will now undergo a period of rehabilitation. The loss of Ngidi compounds a significant problem in South Africa's pace department. Rabada was already unavailable due to a hamstring injury sustained in winter training, while Baartman was ruled out on September 13 with a similar issue. Duan Jansen had been called up as Baartman's replacement before Ngidi's setback emerged.