Ngidi’s Smith Wicket Powers South Africa’s WTC Final Fightback

Lungi Ngidi, the fast bowler of South Africa, has termed his dismissal of Steve Smith as the best moment of his international career so far, after his stunning performance of turnaround on the second day of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. This key breakthrough by the 29-year-old pacer has given impetus to South Africa, who are playing to win their first WTC against Australia.

Ngidi, who had a tough first day with the wicketless figures of 0/45 in eight overs, had a remarkable turnaround in the second innings against Australia. The accurate bowling of the right-arm seamer took three crucial wickets, one of them being the highly-prized wicket of the experienced batsman Steve Smith, who was sent back to the pavilion to applause of only 13 runs, courtesy of a well-judged leg-before-wicket triumph.

Talking to ICC Digital at the end of the day, Ngidi realised the importance of the wicket of Smith at that critical stage of the game. The wicket was in a period when Australia was developing a dangerous partnership, and the dismissal of Smith meant that the lower order was exposed to the hostile bowling attack of South Africa.

Job wraps up the Proteas bowler with an honest confession on how his inability to perform in his first innings was caused by trying too much too soon, thus leading to loose balls and building pressure. Having teammates like Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen taking eight wickets in Australia’s first innings, Ngidi was under pressure to make a significant contribution to the bowling department.

Nonetheless, the support of the South African coaching team played a significant role in the reset of Ngidi between the innings in his mind. The assurance to just concentrate on his natural game and not to think about the past performance enabled the fast bowler to come to the second spell with a fresh head and mission.

The tactical awareness, along with patience, was reflected by Ngidi in his methodical spell during the second innings. Instead of looking to find breakthroughs, he aimed at creating pressure by delivering line and length bowling. This focused plan ultimately brought about the circumstances of the collapse of Smith, as Smith, the Australian batsman, was bowled by a well-pitched ball that pitched him in front of the stumps.

The effect of Ngidi was also evidenced by the dismissal of Beau Webster, which completely broke the middle-order resistance of Australia. The tail-end was unlocked by the wicket of Webster, and South Africa had a realistic chance of limiting the second innings score of Australia and keeping alive their hopes of winning the championship.