South Africa Vs India: Pierre de Bruyn backs wonder ward Lungi Ngidi for Centurion Test

Former all-rounder Pierre de Bruyn, who represented South Africa’s domestic teams Multiply Titans and Dolphins would be the happiest person if one of the replacements of injured speedster Dale Steyn Lungi Ngidi makes a debut in the second match at Centurion beginning on Saturday (January 13).

“If he plays in his first test match on Saturday, I will definitely be the happiest man inside the stadium and probably a little bit emotional,” De Bruyn told Times Live ahead of the second Test fixture.

Pertinently, the promising 21-year-old bowler Ngidi was roped in the Proteas squad alongside Duanne Olivier after the 34-year-old Steyn nursed heel injury during the recently-completed first Test in Cape Town which further saw hosts led the series 1-0 following the 72-run win over Virat Kohli-led India.

De Bruyn observed Ngidi has worked hard on his game and his dedication made a way for him to come closer to don the coveted whites for the national team.

“I am abundantly happy for what he has achieved in a short period of time and I believe that he has a lot to offer because he is a special talent and a humble human being,” de Bruyn remarked.

The Pretoria-born 40-year-old de Bruyn has played a significant role in shaping up the career of youngster Ngidi, who hails from Durban.

“However‚ I was convinced that we can work on his action because he had lots of potential to generate pace,” de Bruyn said.

In 2012, Ngidi was representing the Hilton College before he was pushed into Tuks Cricket Club (TCC) to make most out of his opportunity after completing his matric while playing for the former school purely on a scholarship.

Interestingly, de Bruyn was informed by the former Zimbabwean all-rounder Neil Johnson about the prospect for South Africa as Ngidi was convinced by the batting all-rounder to shift from the KwaZulu-Natal province.

“Ultimately he agreed to come down to Pretoria and like they say, the rest is history,” de Bruyn asserted.

Earlier, this month (January) the Proteas head coach Ottis Gibson has shown interest in the bowler before the Cricket South Africa (CSA) picked him for the all-important series where he would further face the massive Test to bowl against top-notch batters.

 “He has come a long way since he was a little kid,” de Bruyn explained.

After missing the 2014 Under-19 World Cup, due to the injury, but Ngidi has pounced on every opportunity thrown at him while focusing on his fitness to set a long-term plan in the national fold.

“When I first saw video footage of him in action‚ my immediate reaction was that there was potential but his action was raw,” de Bruyn reminisced.

Recently, de Bruyn has also enjoyed the coaching stint in the county England championship for Leicestershire in the Division fixtures.

However, Nigidi made his international debut in colors on January 20 in 2017 when he faced Sri Lanka at Centurion. He has played three T20Is in which he bagged six wickets at an average of 7.33.

FOLLOW INDIA’S TOUR TO AFRICAN CONTINENT HERE: South Africa Vs India – Freedom Series, 2018