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Key Points

In a dramatic World Test Championship final at Lord's, South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi transformed his performance after a challenging first innings. His crucial spell, particularly the dismissal of Steve Smith for 13, turned the match's momentum in South Africa's favor. Ngidi's resilience was highlighted by taking three wickets for 53 runs after initially struggling. The Proteas' bowling attack, led by Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, effectively reduced Australia to 144/8, setting up an intriguing third day of the match.

Key Points: Ngidi's Steve Smith Wicket Turns WTC Final Tide for South Africa

  • Ngidi bounces back after disappointing first innings with critical spell
  • South Africa reduces Australia to 48/4 with key wickets
  • Proteas quick bowlers dominate Australian batting lineup
  • Crucial turnaround moment in WTC final at Lord's
3 min read

WTC Final: 'The best wicket I could've gotten', Ngidi on Smith's dismissal

South African pacer Lungi Ngidi reveals emotional breakthrough against Steve Smith in crucial World Test Championship final moment

"That's probably the best wicket I could've gotten - Lungi Ngidi, ICC Digital"

London, June 13

South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi opened up about his devastating second innings spell on Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord’s and admitted that Steve Smith's dismissal was probably the "best wicket" he could have gotten.

After South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada removed Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in quick succession and Marco Jansen got Marnus Labuschagne (22), then Ngidi got the massive wicket of Smith, trapping him lbw for 13 to reduce Australia to 48/4.

"I think because of the stage that we’re playing on, that’s probably the best wicket I could’ve gotten. Having struggled a bit in the first innings and then to be able to get that wicket, at that stage, it probably ranks very high up there for me. I can’t put into words how I felt about taking that wicket. Such a relief," Ngidi told ICC Digital.

After struggles on the opening day of the one-off Test, where he settled for figures of 0/45 from his eight overs, Ngidi bounced back on Day 2, claiming three for 53.

"(I) probably tried to do too much, too early, ended up leaking runs, putting yourself under pressure and then you’re chasing the game from there. I was putting a bit of pressure on myself. Bowling in the first innings, seeing the guys that have gone ahead, they’ve performed so well, taken wickets, you want to carry on that momentum," he said.

“(With) Test cricket, you’ve got two chances as a bowler. The coach said, ‘just go play your game, don’t worry about anything that has gone on before, it’s your moment now, when you get the ball, just make it count," Ngidi recalled.

Pat Cummins' superb spell helped rout South Africa for just 138 and saw Australia take a lead of 74 on the first innings but the Proteas' quicks fired up in reply as Rabada and Ngidi combined for six wickets to leave the Aussies reeling at 144/8 in their second dig heading into the third day on Friday.

"First innings probably didn’t go as planned, so once I got a bit of rhythm from the other end, and I could feel that I was putting the ball in the right areas and there was still a bit of assistance in the wicket, I felt like that would probably be the dismissal, trying to set that up.

"And then, yeah, got it spot on, so very happy about that. It definitely (meant a lot. (We’re) excited about the position that we’re in," Ngidi concluded.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 5 diverse Indian perspective comments for the WTC Final article:
R
Rahul K.
Ngidi's spell was 🔥! As an Indian cricket fan, I love seeing quality fast bowling. Hope our pacers were watching - this is how you bounce back after a tough first innings. SA's pace attack is seriously scary for the upcoming series against us.
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Priya M.
Smith's wicket was crucial but I feel Ngidi is being too hard on himself. 3/53 is a great comeback! Shows the mental strength required at this level. Wonder if BCCI should arrange more A tours for our young pacers to develop this resilience.
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Arjun S.
While Ngidi bowled well, I'm more impressed by Rabada's consistency. He's been SA's go-to bowler in crunch situations. Our team needs someone like him who can deliver under pressure consistently. Bumrah is great but we need backup options too.
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Sunita R.
The WTC final is showing why test cricket is the ultimate format! Such dramatic turnarounds. Ngidi's honesty about his struggles makes him relatable. Hope Indian players also open up like this in interviews instead of giving robotic answers.
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Vikram J.
As much as I appreciate Ngidi's performance, I can't help but think - where was this intensity when SA played India last time? 😅 Jokes aside, this match is proving why test cricket needs more context like WTC. Hope ICC doesn't reduce test matches further.

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