Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is eager to mirror the performance of veteran Dale Steyn during the Proteas’ Test series against India next month.

Steyn recently retired from Test cricket, but is still available for ODI and T20I selection. His exit has effectively elevated the responsibility of Ngidi and fellow fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.

‘Steyn has the perfect blueprint for a fast bowler. Taking 400-plus Test wickets is something all of us aspire to achieve. He has been very influential. He gives us a lot of good advice. Having him around is great for the team,’ Nigdi was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

The 23-year-old Ngidi played just four of South Africa’s nine matches in the 2019 World Cup due to a hamstring injury. He took seven wickets in those four fixtures before being sidelined.

‘The hamstring injury was caused maybe because I was trying to bowl too fast. Missing the latter half of the World Cup was disappointing, but injuries are a part of life,’ he added.

‘I went straight to my recovery routine, and now I’m feeling very fit. I’ve done a lot of training to recover from the injury. I’m happy with the way I’m bowling and I want to keep the rhythm going.’

The Proteas and India will contest three Tests in Visakhapatnam, Pune and Ranchi from to 2-23 October.

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