South African fast-bowling sensation Lungi Ngidi wants to try his new ball skills during their Sri Lanka tour in August and he is currently working on it to make it even sharper before introducing it at the international level. He was recently given the new ball responsibility at CSK by MS Dhoni in the IPL.
The 22-year-old, who has the golden opportunity to fill up the role of retired Morne Morkel with his consistent and brilliant bowling in the national side, is aiming to continue performing as best as he can and put himself in the best position to get selected in the Proteas squad.
As per reports in sacricketmag.com, Ngidi told the media, “I want to take the new ball for my country, so I’m trying to perform as best as I can and put myself in the best position to be selected. It’s a big responsibility but it’s part of the game and is something I’ve always wanted. I’m going to keep working towards that and focus on my own game and contribute towards my country as best as I can.”
Meanwhile, the young pace sensation might face stiff competition at the national side, as pacers Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada are all new-ball specialists and are fit now.
Ngidi further added on the same, “It’s difficult for me only having played a few international games. We still have Dale, Vern, and KG who are still frontline bowlers. I’m just trying to add to the pack and strengthen the group. It’s difficult to say where I fit in at the moment, but whenever [I am] called upon there’s a job to do. The Australia series really helped me realize where I fit in the picture, running into guys like that and being able to bowl decently was nice to see.”
On the other hand, the young pacer might get the opportunity to show his new-ball skills in Sri Lanka, as he has now become familiar with the sub-continental conditions familiar through his experience in the IPL. He also played a key role in Chennai Super Kings’ title triumph, finishing with 11 wickets in 7 outings this season.
On being asked about his IPL experience, Ngidi said, “The wickets were a lot better than I expected. That was pleasing. I’m not saying it will be the same in Sri Lanka, but just to be able to play in those conditions, in terms of the heat, humidity has put me in a better position to face Sri Lankan conditions.”
He signed off by saying, “The line and lengths are crucial there. I just made sure I was attacking that fourth stump, hitting the top of the stumps and making the batsmen play. It’s a cliche we hear but it’s not so easy to execute on the field and keep repeating it. Those are the most important things about bowling in sub-continent conditions.”
