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Key Points

Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi shared how coach Mark Boucher's "play with conviction" message shaped their Day 2 fightback against Australia. He admitted early nerves before finding rhythm under Temba Bavuma's guidance during a crucial spell. Ngidi praised Rabada's five-wicket performance while acknowledging the challenge of chasing Australia's lead. The pacer remains hopeful South Africa can turn the game around if they restrict the target below 230 runs.

Key Points: Lungi Ngidi Says Coach Urged Proteas to Play With Conviction in WTC Final

  • Ngidi credits Bavuma for regaining bowling rhythm
  • Rabada shines with 5-wicket haul in 1st innings
  • Proteas aim to chase under 230 target
  • Lord's crowd energy fuels Ngidi's 3-wicket spell
3 min read

The coach asked us whatever we do, to do it with conviction: Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi

South Africa's Lungi Ngidi reveals team mindset after Day 2 of WTC Final, stressing coach's "conviction" message and Bavuma's guidance.

"The coach asked us whatever we do, to do it with conviction - Lungi Ngidi"

London June 13

After stumps on Day 2 of the World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa, at Lord's Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi believed they were still in the game, the bowlers did well, the coach wanted them to play with conviction, and they aimed to change the game's outcome, after getting bowled out for 138 in the first innings.

Australia fought back and ended Day 2 on 144/8, extending their lead to 218 runs in the World Test Championship Finals, against South Africa at the Home of Cricket in London on Thursday.

"We were still in the game. They did bowl really well, but at the end of the day, we still had a job to do. The coach asked us whatever we do, to do it with conviction, and if you go out, go out on your own terms. You can also be that guy to turn the game around for the team, that was the mindset," Lungi Ngidi said after stumps on Day 2.

Ngidi felt the first innings challenging, and he felt nervous after tea, but with Bavuma's guidance, he found his rhythm and kept going.

"It was tough in the first innings, there was no rhythm, it looked like I was fighting a lot while bowling. Couple of nerves coming back after tea, especially knowing who the guys were in the middle, but he (Bavuma) was asking me to do certain things, I just said let me get into my spell, let me get some rhythm and once I felt it was clicking I just kept running with it."

"It was pretty exciting, I could hear my name in one of the corners, that's what actually gives you energy when you are bowling such a long spell, the crowd gets behind and you keep going. We are in a good position now, two balls can wrap it up, and we are focusing on that. If we are chasing anything under 230.. It won't be easy with the bowling line-up they have, but we want to give ourselves the best chance," he added.

Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas on Day 2 as he grabbed three important wickets. Rabada picked up five wickets for 51 runs in the first innings to help the Proteas bowl out the Baggy Greens for 212 runs on Wednesday followed by three wickets in the second innings at the end of Day 2, and became fifth leading wicket taker for SA across all formats.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the cricket article:
R
Rahul K.
Ngidi showed real fighting spirit! This is why test cricket is the best format - even when down, players keep believing. Hope SA can make a match of it tomorrow. Rabada-Ngidi partnership reminds me of our own Bumrah-Shami combo 💪
P
Priya M.
The coach's advice about playing with conviction is golden! In cricket and life, half-hearted efforts never work. Though as an Indian fan, I'm secretly happy Australia might win - better for our WTC standings 😅
A
Arjun S.
SA's bowling saved them after that terrible batting. Shows why we need good fast bowlers in test cricket. BCCI should take note - we need to develop more pace options beyond Bumrah for overseas tests.
S
Sneha R.
The crowd support Ngidi mentioned is everything! Reminds me of Eden Gardens during India matches. Cricket isn't the same without passionate fans cheering their teams. Hope SA fans turn up in numbers tomorrow!
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Vikram J.
While Ngidi bowled well, SA's batting collapse shows their ongoing struggles. They need to rebuild properly like India did after 2011. Too much dependence on Rabada can't be good long-term.
N
Neha P.
Love the mental aspect here - overcoming nerves, finding rhythm, crowd energy. Cricket is 80% mindset! Though I wish Indian media covered other teams' matches with same depth as they do for Kohli-Rohit 😊

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