South Africa picks Ngidi in a bold move for the WTC bowling unit
South Africa picked Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson for the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. Captain Temba Bavuma said the move was tactical. He pointed to Ngidi’s extra speed and height as key reasons for the call.
Ngidi joins fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder in the attack. At 1.93m tall, Ngidi brings a bounce that suits the Lord’s slope. Paterson, who did well in past Tests, missed out since his style is too close to Mulder’s.
Ngidi has played two Tests in the last year and a half. He dealt with several injuries and hasn’t bowled much in long matches. Still, he has experience at Lord’s and gives the team something different.
South Africa also changed their batting lineup. Mulder takes the No. 3 spot, and Tristan Stubbs, who held that spot before, will now move down the order. Meanwhile, Bavuma will take the 4th position.
