The star South African pacer Lungi Ngidi feels that South Africa are actually in a great place to be despite being 218 runs behind Australia at stumps on Day 2 of the low-scoring World Test Championship final at Lord’s. As Australia reeled to 144 for 8 in their second innings, the Proteas fast bowler believes his team can finish off the tail early on Day 3 and then give themselves a shot at winning the title by chasing.
Lungi Ngidi’s Statement
After the day’s play, Ngidi expressed a positive outlook on South Africa’s performance. “We’re still very much in the game. They bowled well, but we had a job to do and we stuck to it,” he said. “The coach reminded us to play with conviction-if you’re going to go out, go out on your own terms. You could be the one to turn the match.”
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Ngidi, who claimed three crucial wickets including those of Steve Smith and Pat Cummins acknowledged battling with his rhythm early in the match but revealed he regained his form after tea on the second day. “In the first innings, there was no rhythm it felt like I was fighting myself. After tea, I told myself to settle into a spell. Once it started clicking, I just kept going,” he explained. “The crowd chanting my name gave me that extra bit of energy. It really helped push me through a long spell.”
Highlights Of Day 2 Of WTC Final
South Africa rue the many squandered chances and DRS failures as Australia fought their way back on Day 2 to take their lead to 218 runs in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lords in London. It is Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada who have put proteas back into the game after Australia had taken a 74-run lead in the first innings and at one moment were reeling at 73/7. However, an unbroken 61-run stand between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc had solved to pull Australia back into the contention on the last Day 2. In the holds, Stumpers were 144/8 at the end of the day with two balls remaining with Jansen dismissing Starc. South Africa also have wasted their two reviews.
