South Africa face growing injury concerns ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
Both players are currently facing fitness uncertainties after sustaining injuries
David Miller and Lungi Ngidi become the latest additions to South Africa's growing list of injury concerns ahead of the 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy slated to take place in Pakistan and UAE next month.
Both players are currently facing fitness uncertainties after sustaining injuries during the ongoing SA20 tournament.
Pivotal middle-order batter Miller appeared to have picked up an injury while fielding for Paarl Royals, the team he leads, during a match against Durban’s Super Giants.
Positioned in the covers, Miller was unable to stop a drive from Marcus Stoinis in the 14th over and was forced to leave the field shortly after, with support staff accompanying him.
While he did not require assistance to leave the field, he walked with a noticeable limp. The Royals have yet to issue an official update on the extent of the injury, but an announcement is expected soon after the match.
Meanwhile, pacer Lungi Ngidi was notably absent from the Royals' playing XI for the match, marking the fourth consecutive game he has missed. He has now missed five of the eight matches in the competition.
Ngidi had spent a significant period away from cricket due to a groin injury last summer but has only recently returned to competitive action.
Royals coach Trevor Penney indicated that the pacer could return for the next match against Joburg Super Kings on Thursday, emphasising the challenges big fast bowlers face in regaining full match fitness after a long layoff.
“With Lungi, we know big fast bowlers like him, they sometimes needed a couple of weeks to get back into that full flow and the rhythm," Penney said.
“It’s a tough thing for fast bowlers. He was out [with a groin injury] for like eight weeks. So he’s on a program where he’s almost back now. So we played him in the first few games so he could get some game time. And I’m sure when we go to the Highveld, he’s going to be straight back in," he added.
South Africa's injury woes have already resulted in the loss of lead pacer Anrich Nortje from the Champions Trophy squad due to a back injury.
Gerald Coetzee, who was expected to replace him, is also out of the remainder of the SA20 with a hamstring issue.
Additionally, fast bowlers such as Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Daryn Dupavillon, Wiaan Mulder and Ottneil Baartman have all faced injury concerns in recent months, further depleting the team's bowling resources.
The Proteas are yet to announce a replacement for Nortje but will need to do so before the February 11 deadline.
South Africa Squad for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen.
South Africa Champions Trophy Schedule:
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