‘Mentally tough’ Lungi Ngidi brightens the Proteas’ mood

Despite the return of a few stalwarts, the Proteas’ fast bowling depth still remains wobbly.

Dale Steyn is still doing rehab towards full match fitness, Vernon Philander has just been steady and Morne Morkel and Chris Morris are still unavailable.

Worryingly, the Cape Cobras duo of Dane Paterson and Wayne Parnell look in poor form.

But at least there is a shining light: Lungi Ngidi.

The richly promising Titans quick has been in excellent form since recovering from a stress fracture.

He took 9 wickets on his return to first-class cricket and is the leading wicket-taker to date in the domestic T20 challenge with seven scalps.

“I’m not surprised about how well he’s done,” said legendary Proteas wicketkeeper and Titans coach Mark Boucher.

“He’s done some really hard work behind closed doors in the build-up to this season.”

Ngidi has shown undoubted skill and class with the substantial amount of wickets he’s already bagged.

Yet Boucher is far more impressed with his mental steel.

“That’s where Lungi’s really shown his worth. To come back from such a serious injury and back yourself to bowl at full pace shows his toughness mentally,” he said.

Given his pace and age – 21 – it must be tempting to just let Ngidi bowl freely.

That’s not how his franchise mentor sees it.

“He’s a talented bowler with good change-ups,” said Boucher.

“It can be difficult for a youngster to listen to someone telling him to bowl 80% slower balls on some wickets. But Lungi’s learning very quickly.

“There has to be a time though where the talking stops and we just let him back himself.”

Based on what’s been seen to date, that’s a very nice prospect for national coach Ottis Gibson and co.

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