POOJA PUNDIT
Right-arm fast bowler for Assupol, TuksCricket and the Titans, Lungisani Ngidi, made his debut for South Africa in the T20 series against Sri Lanka, as the opening bowler. Ngidi walked in as debutant with the economy of 3.20 and a best bowling figure of 9/32 for the Titans. Ngidi’s best bowling international score is an accomplished 4/19 with a striking economy of 5.16. Before his debut match Ngidi admitted to “being a tad bit nervous”.
Ngidi, stole the match for South Africa, when Sri Lanka needed a difficult 40 runs off the last three overs, in the reduced 10 over match, that was affected by the weather. Ngidi bagged the wickets of Sri Lankan star batsmen, Prasanna and Mendis for two runs. He won Man of the Match as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs.
Ngidi said that during the match he was “very pumped up”, as the match could have taken a turn at any moment. “After, [the match] I was overwhelmed at what had actually just taken place, I couldn’t believe it!” In the second match of the series, Ngidi struck a 4 wicket-haul taking out the Sri Lankan batsmen: Dickwella, de Silva, Mendis and Chandimal. Despite this powerful display, the Sri Lankan batsmen managed to score an easy 119 runs to beat South Africa’s target of 113.
Ngidi said what prepared him the most to be an international sportsman, was the time he spent at Assupol TuksCricket, “The training intensity really did help me adjust quickly to professional cricket”. Ngidi said that he has always been able to juggle his career as a sportsman and his BA Social Science degree, “I won’t change anything, I’m currently nearly finished.” Ngidi sustained an injury in the 3rd T20 match when he landed gawkily on his left hip, while fielding. According to Sports24, Proteas team manager, Mohammad Moosajee said that Ngidi will not be replaced in the squad.
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