South Africa’s fast bowler, Lungi Ngidi, has been ruled out of the upcoming all-format tour against Pakistan due to a groin injury, marking a significant setback for the Proteas. Ngidi, who was last seen in action during the third ODI against Ireland in October, had a tough outing, conceding 70 runs in nine overs without taking a wicket. Although he was expected to return for the Test series against Sri Lanka, further medical assessments have revealed that he is suffering from bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy – an injury related to the groin area caused by overexertion, common among fast bowlers. As per Cricket South Africa’s official statement, Ngidi will be unavailable for both the Test series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming tour to Pakistan, leaving a gap in South Africa’s fast bowling arsenal. The 28-year-old pacer is now set to begin a rehabilitation program, with the aim of returning to action by January 2025. “Proteas Men’s fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, as well as the all-format tour against Pakistan, due to a groin injury. The 28-year-old recently underwent a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period, during which scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and is expected to return to play in January,” CSA said in a statement. In more positive news for the Proteas, Test captain Temba Bavuma is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from a left elbow injury. Bavuma is scheduled for a fitness test on Monday, November 18. “Test captain Temba Bavuma is making positive progress in his recovery from a left elbow injury and will undergo a fitness test on Monday, 18 November to determine his availability for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts in Durban on 27 November,” it added. South Africa’s tour of Pakistan is expected to be a challenging affair, with the T20I matches scheduled from December 10 to 14, followed by the ODI series from December 17 to 22, and the two Tests from December 26 to January 7. Japan expect tough Indonesia test with World Cup spot in reach Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Thursday he expects a tough test against an Indonesian team filled with European-born players when the two sides clash in World Cup qualifying in Jakarta. Japan are the leading team in Asia at 15th in the FIFA rankings and top qualifying Group C, with an unbeaten record after three wins and a draw. A potential victory over Indonesia in front of 78,000 fans in the country’s capital puts an eighth straight World Cup berth within reach. Indonesia are clear underdogs for Friday’s match, sitting in fifth out of six teams in their qualifying group, but they have earned spirited draws against Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. “Tomorrow’s game will be very hard because the Indonesian players will be very defensive… so we have to play very aggressively,” said Moriyasu. “Our goal is to be the champion. Tomorrow we will fight very hard.” The top two from the three groups in the third stage of Asian qualifying will automatically reach the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with third and fourth going into another qualifying stage. Japan made it to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to Croatia on penalties, while Indonesia has only qualified once when it competed as the Dutch East Indies. Japan captain and out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo said there was not an issue with his lack of playing time for his club, despite being used sparingly by new boss Arne Slot. “There is no problem because I try very hard, so my condition is okay,” said the 31-year-old midfielder. “I will do my best 100 percent tomorrow.” Indonesia’s South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong said the Red and Whites want to cause an upset against the Asian giants. “All the players and me are planning for a match without regrets,” he said. “Nobody can anticipate or expect tomorrow’s result.” Shin said Australia and Saudi Arabia playing out a 0-0 draw on Thursday gave them extra hope. “The result is… actually an advantage for us. Except for Japan, all the other teams are just fighting each other,” he said. “So I really think energy and luck is coming to us.”