Donald makes way for Ngam for Sri Lanka Test

Young South African fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam will again replace injured veteran paceman Allan Donald for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban from December 26-30.

South African team manager Goolam Rajah said on Monday that Donald had aggravated a stomach muscle strain, which kept him out the final Test against New Zealand as well as the first two one-day matches against Sri Lanka, Friday and Sunday.

"He will initially be out of cricket for two more weeks," Rajah said in a statement issued in Johannesburg.

"He will be reassessed by team physiotherapist Craig Smith with a view to ascertaining when he can resume training and playing competitive cricket."

Ngam, 21, made an impressive debut with two wickets for 34 after Donald - the country's leading Test wicket-taker - was forced to miss the drawn, rain-hit third and final Test against New Zealand in Johannesburg.

Selectors on Sunday included Ngam as cover for Donald in a 12-man squad for the opening Test of the three-match series against Sanath Jayasuriya and his team.

If 34-year-old Donald is not fit in two weeks' time, he will also sit out the second Test in Cape Town from January 2-6.

The third and final Test will be at Centurion near Pretoria from January 20-24.

The South Africa team:
Shaun Pollock (capt), Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher (w/k, v-capt), Daryll Cullinan, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Mfuneko Ngam, Makhaya Ntini.

Mail Cricket Editor