SA vs IND 2018: Facts About Lungi Ngidi

After taking a 1-0 lead in the first Test at the Newlands in Cape Town, hosts South Africa are on a high coming into the second Test. South Africa had a slight setback in the first Test as their primary fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was returning to international cricket after one year, suffered another injury to his heel. However, South Africa brought in a replacement in the form of Lungi Ngidi and Duanne Olivier.

A lot of questions were asked on who will replace Steyn in the upcoming Tests after being ruled out of the entire Test series, and the question was answered at the toss of the second Test when Faf Du Plessis revealed and said that Lungi Ngidi would replace and make his Test debut.

Let’s have a look at some of the facts about Lungi Ngidi-:

1. Birth and Career

   

Lungisani Ngidi was born on March 29, 1966, in the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. He is 6ft 5in tall and a right arm fast bowler who has represented South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Inland Under-19s, the Northerns, South Africa Under-19s and the Titans.

2. Debut Series against Sri Lanka

Ngidi made it to South Africa’s national in a three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka in January 2017. Ngidi made an immediate impact picking up six wickets at an economy rate of 5.50.

3. Man of the Match on Debut

Ngidi earned the man of the match award on his debut courtesy match winning bowling figures of 2-0-12-2 in the rain curtailed match at Supersport Park in Centurion. He also picked up four wickets in his second match at the same ground with the third match being washed out.

4. Injury on the Eve of ODI debut

After a dominant performance in the T20 series, Ngidi was included in the ODI squad and was set to make his ODI debut the first match of the series but an unfortunate injury on the eve of the match ruled him out for four weeks.

5. A Poor Background

Lungi Ngidi belongs from a financially weak background with his father, Jerome Ngidi working within the upkeep division on the Kloof Junior Faculty. His father praised Ngidi’s attributes as a pupil and hailed him an obedient and well-disciplined boy amongst his academics and coaches.

6. Pursuing Degree in Sociology

Ngidi is currently seeking a degree in industrial sociology from the University of Pretoria.

7. Africa T20 Cup Player of the Year

Lungi Ngidi played for the victorious Northern group within the 2015/16 Afro T20 Cup. He picked up six wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 5 runs per over. In July 2016, he was awarded the Africa T20 Cup player of the

8. Member of the Victorious Titans Squad in 2016/17

Ngidi was a member of the triumphant Titan’s squad which received the CSA T20 challenge tournament in 2016-17. In 11 matches, Ngidi picked up nine wickets

9. Dale Steyn’s Successor

Earlier in his career, Lungi Ngidi expressed he wants to bowl alongside South African speedster Dale Steyn. Although he hasn’t played with Steyn, he now has been the included to the squad and replaces the injured pacer.