Mfuneko Ngam, the exciting young South African fast-bowling prospect, has suffered another stress fracture -- his fifth in five years -- throwing his future into doubt. This time the problem is in the tibia of Ngam's right leg. Craig Smith, the South African team physiotherapist, said: "The pain started about ten days ago, and got worse to the point that he had to stop bowling in the nets last Monday. The pain is in his right lower leg, and he was sent for a bone scan in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. The results confirm it is a bone injury -- a stress fracture."

Smith added that Ngam, who's still only 22, has suffered several similar stress fractures in recent years, the last one in his upper thigh. He also had a shoulder operation earlier this year. Tests are to be carried out at Cape Town's Sports Science Institute to try to establish whether he suffers from brittle bones or a genetic disorder.

"Chewing" Ngam, who plays for Eastern Province, has taken 11 wickets in his three Tests to date. He has impressed onlookers with his pace -- he was clocked at over 90mph on his debut against New Zealand in December 2000 -- and his best performance came in his most recent Test, against Sri Lanka at Cape Town in January 2001, when he took 3 for 26 in the first innings and 3 for 36 in the second as South Africa cruised to a thumping victory.

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