SA vs AUS 2nd ODI: Why is Lungi Ngidi not playing South Africa vs Australia second ODI match?

As cricket fans eagerly await the second ODI showdown between South Africa and Australia, there’s one noticeable absence in the South African bowling lineup. Lungi Ngidi, a key fast bowler for the Proteas, is conspicuously missing from the playing XI.

Why is Lungi Ngidi not playing SA vs AUS 2nd ODI match?

The primary reason for Lungi Ngidi’s absence from the second ODI is that he has been rested. However, SA captain Temba did mention at toss, “We didn’t bowl well in the end and we were disappointed with that. We have three changes.” And, all three changes are in bowling department.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: “It looks a little bit drier than the other wicket. If there is variability in the bounce we’d like to exploit that with the new ball. I think it will spin as well. We did see under lights it did get a bit better. So batting second traditionally here is something we’d like to do. We’ve got three changes. Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee and Keshav Maharaj miss out. Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Phehlukweyo and Anrich Nortje come in.”

Australia Playing 11

David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey(w), Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa

Bench: Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha

South Africa Playing 11

Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bench: Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Dewald Brevis, Wayne Parnell, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Tristan Stubbs