Lungi Ngidi in his short international career, which has just turned two years old. He has already recoved from a stress fracture, a side strain and a slew of hamstring niggles, the latest of which kept him out of this summer’s Test series against England.
Previously in 3rd ODI, after his first five over which costs 52 runs, he came up with a final spell of 3 for 11 runs in four overs. In the first T20I against England at Buffalo park he scatters England batsmen hope by picking three wickets in the last over and paved the way for victory. He proved his ability to play in big moments by a death bowling spell that costs England three wickets in 1st ODI.
Ngidi(Player of the match) said : “It wasn’t a great day at Johannesburg, but here it’s not over until the last ball is bowled. Run in hard as you can. hit your length, and all of a sudden their team was on the back foot. Very fast-paced game, but it’s about how you bounce back. I didn’t panic under pressure, they seemed to be cruising but my job was to get wickets.”
Ngidi credited Langeveldt
He credited Langeveldt for his mental strength,”He has had a massive impact in terms of the mental side having watched him and the way he used to bowl, he has given me a lot of confidence as a young player, knowing someone like that is now on my journey. He has made sure I back the skills that I am good at. Something like that on the back end, where maybe someone would say maybe a change of ball was needed or maybe a yorker, stick to what’s working and it worked out just well.”
Ngidi’s yorker at best
When he bowled out Moeen Ali with an yorker in the last one where an LBW missed in the previous ball made an positive impact for South Africa. England lost 7 wickets for 44 runs in just 5.4 overs, where Hendricks who had chance to bowl in the 15th over started to build pressure before Ngidi.
⚠️ Boundry Denied⚠️
Great Catch in the deep.#ProteaFire #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/wzZdIkpHLI
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 12, 2020
He added : “We know that there are a lot of fast bowlers fighting for a spot so you’ve got to be on your A game, If you’re not quite there, someone else is going to come in and do the job you’re supposed to be doing. I don’t plan on letting anyone take my spot so I am just going to keep playing as best as I can.”
Nearest victory margins for SA in T20Is (runs):
1 run v NZ, Lord’s 2009
1 run v WI, North Sound 2010
1 run v ENG, East London 2020*
2 runs v AUS, Jo’burg 2006
2 runs v NZ, Chattogram 2014
