Protests had failed before their first limited-limits tournament in Ireland after Sisinda Magala’s fast bowling was canceled due to injury.
Magala injured his left ankle while the team was training in Grenada before moving to Ireland. The withdrawal from Magala paved the way for sailors to the left of the western province of Beran Hendrix to be listed in line for a tour of Ireland. However, the 30-year-old will spend at least three to four weeks on the sidelines recovering.
Magala’s loss is a big blow for Protestants as it is likely he will consider three ODIs or three T20s against Ireland, who will play Dublin and Belfast, respectively. On the other hand, Ngidi needs rest after playing both friendly matches against the West Indies and most of the five T20I draws in the Caribbean. Rabada and Ngidi played all five T20Is, while Nortje only missed an appeal after being hit in the inside knee by Kieron Pollard in match four.
Ngidi’s performance also left a lot to be desired ahead of his 3/32 win in the last T20I. Ngidi took five wickets averaging 39.40 on the series, but his economy of 10.94 is more worrying. The long titan sailor was penniless, constantly losing his length and line with big fields and often offering full throws sent over the border from Windy’s wand.
He was fortunate to hold on to his last T20I and perhaps thanks to Northje’s penultimate game. After Magala was sent off, Proteas coach Mark Boucher can now look back on Titanium sailor Lisa Williams for the draw in Ireland. The 27-year-old Williams has not been confined to ODI but has played four T20Is against Pakistan, where he won seven wickets by an average of 21.
The ODI series should also see the return of the Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius station wagons. The latter missed the T20I series against Windies, having tested positive for Covid-19 before heading to the Caribbean, while the Phehlukwayo service was not required.