• Ngidi back with a vengeance

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    Lungi Ngidi stakes his claim for national selection with a fiery comeback for the Titans, taking 9-83 to seal the first win in 13 Sunfoil games. 

    There is no doubt that Ngidi has the attitude, presence and aggression to be in the Proteas starting XI across all formats, and he once again gave national selectors no choice but to consider him as the answer to SA’s current pace-bowling woes.

    After making his T20 debut for the Proteas against Sri Lanka in January, Ngidi was poised for his debut in the ODI series which followed, but the speedster picked up a left abdominal muscle wall injury in the third T20, which ruled him out of the ODI series.

    He then nursed his way back to fitness and joined SA A on their tour to England in June, but was withdrawn from the tour with a back injury.

    The 21-year-old speedster announced his return from injury by wiping out the Lions’ experienced top five, which boasts the likes of Stephen Cook, Reeza Hendricks, Omphile Ramela, Rassie van der Dussen and Nicky van den Bergh.

    In a Sunfoil season flooding with four rounds of draws, Ngidi has breathed life into the tournament by giving the Titans the perfect opportunity to record the first win of the campaign.

    He ended with a career-best 6-37 in the fifth-round Jukskei derby and which saw the Lions skittled for 180.

    ALSO READ: Ngidi rips out Lions’ heart 

    He added to this taking figures of 3-46 as the Lions were pummeled out for 165, the Titans chasing down the lead to claim a nine-wicket win.

    ALSO READ: Titans secure Sunfoil’s first win

    Talking exclusively to SACricketmag.com, Ngidi said:

    ‘It’s great to be back for the Titans, it’s where I feel comfortable and to be honest, it’s good to put the jersey on again. In terms of aims for national selection, at the moment I’m not looking that far ahead, I’m just looking to perform for the Titans. I feel that if I put in the performances there, then I will reap the rewards. I’m making sure the Titans come first at the moment.’

    Watch Ngidi in action: 

    Watch Titans seal first win:

    Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

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    Khalid Mohidin