Welsh Fire forced into three squad changes as Lungi Ngidi pulls out

Jimmy Neesham will now remain with the team for the remainder of the competition

Jimmy Neesham will remain with Welsh Fire for the rest of The Hundred, with Lungi Ngidi withdrawing for personal reasons.

The South African seamer was due to join the competition after his country’s tours of Ireland and West Indies, but he has now returned home instead in one of three changes to Fire’s squad.

Neesham had originally joined as a short-term replacement at the beginning of the tournament and had been due to represent Essex in the Royal London Cup, having initially signed for the county’s T20 Blast campaign.

The New Zealand allrounder has impressed thus far for Welsh Fire, making 30 not out against Northern Superchargers and taking 3 for 5 in a win over Southern Brave.

Meanwhile, Graeme White has replaced Jonny Bairstow in Gary Kirsten’s squad; Bairstow was selected as Welsh Fire’s captain on the assumption that he would not be involved in England’s Test summer, but he was a surprise call-up for the upcoming series against India.

Ben Duckett has stepped in as skipper, with Northamptonshire left-arm spinner White called up to fill the void left by Bairstow.

Former England fast bowler Liam Plunkett has also been ruled out through injury, with Kent’s Matt Milnes replacing him.

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