Lungi Ngidi has emphasised consistent performance and a strong support system as being key to his dream run to selection for the Proteas T20 side. 

The 20-year-old had a smooth transition from varsity cricket for Tuks into franchise cricket for the Titans, where he has continued to improve and produce good results.

His performance in the 2015 campus cricket tournament for Tuks, where he took six wickets at an average of 15.83, brought him selection for Northerns for the inaugural Africa T20 Cup in 2015. He earned Player of the Tournament at the CSA awards for taking six wickets at an average 12.50, helping his side grab a spot in the final which they won by seven wickets. At last year’s campus cricket tournament in Sri Lanka, he took seven wickets at an average of 13.43. This put him under the spotlight for Titans selection.

Over the last few months, Ngidi was fast-tracked into the franchise set up, representing the Titans in the Sunfoil series and CSA T20 challenge. His performance in the T20 challenge final earned him the Player of the Match award, for his 2-27 which included the wickets of Warriors big hitters Colin Ackermann and Colin Ingram as the Titans defended their trophy.

Ngidi expressed his delight over the speed of his progress.

‘I wouldn’t say that I expected it sooner, but the journey has been amazing for me, everything has unfolded quickly,’ he said ahead of the squad’s first training session on Tuesday.

‘I have put in a few performances here and there but the coaches were always reminding me that consistency is the best thing. That is what I tried to do, one step at a time, I tried to be as consistent as possible and the performances came naturally with playing well.’

He has acknowledged the importance of former Titans coach Rob Walter for his fast promotion into the Titans setup, for giving him his first opportunity to play domestic cricket. He also commended his current coach, Mark Boucher, who has helped him understand the requirements and pressures that come with playing for South Africa.

‘A lot of credit goes to the coaching staff and the players,’ he said. ‘They were the ones who backed me in terms of putting me in at such a young age. They gave me the opportunity to play in the CSA T20 Challenge last year and I managed to perform decently, which then opened the door to the senior side.

‘Rob Walter picked me up from the amateur side. I had been playing varsity cricket and he spotted me there and that is when I got into the amateur team. He kick-started my franchise career, he had a massive influence.’

Ngidi is one of six new recruits in the Proteas T20 side and will look to impress national selectors as he hunts down an opportunity to represent his country in all three formats.