Titans’ Ngidi a fast learner

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

Dale Steyn is still working towards full match fitness, Vernon Philander has 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’s a shining light in Lungi Ngidi (above).

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

He took nine 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 amount of wickets he’s already bagged.

Yet Boucher is far more impressed with his mental steel.

“That’s where Lungi’s 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.

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