Rabada injury forces Proteas into Ngidi SOS as Conrad weighs Guwahati options

"MAYBE Shuks missed a trick.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

It’s not often that Proteas coach Shukri Conrad is not on top of his game, but these were Kagiso Rabada's words prior to the Test series against India. Rabada was, of course, humorously referring to the absence of his longtime new-ball partner Lungi Ngidi and the value he could possibly add with his cutters and slower balls on the subcontinent tour.

Little did Rabada know that Ngidi would be sent an SOS to fly over to India as backup for him after the Proteas' premier fast bowler sat out the first Test in Kolkata with a rib injury.

With the Proteas enjoying two days of extra rest after the Eden Gardens Test finished in three days, Ngidi was able to join the team in Kolkata before their scheduled departure to Guwahati on Wednesday.