Ngidi is hungry for SA20 success
ROYALS: BOWLER DETERMINED TO KEEP PLAYING A KEY ROLE
After shining in his team’s latest victory at the weekend, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi hopes to continue playing a key role for the Paarl Royals as they target a place in the SA20 play-offs.
The Royals picked up their second win in just three days over the Pretoria Capitals on Sunday, having already beaten the Pretoria side in their opening match of the popular T20 league in Paarl last Friday.
Showcasing their all-round ability, the visitors earned a 10-run victory at SuperSport Park, as they climbed to second place on the points table (behind Durban’s Super Giants), while the Capitals were left flailing at the bottom of the standings without any points.
In a high-scoring match on Sunday, Ngidi took 4/39, becoming the top wicket taker in the early stages of the campaign.
Obed McCoy of the West Indies also delivered a superb final over, giving away just three runs off the last six balls despite fighting off cramps, as the visitors restricted the Capitals to 200/7.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, the Royals were anchored by an unbroken 141-run stand for the fourth wicket between captain David Miller and Mitchell van Buuren.
It was a record SA20 partnership for any wicket at SuperSport Park, with Miller making 75 not out off 42 balls and Van Buuren hitting an unbeaten 72 off 40 as they guided their team to 210/3.
“Our plan was to stay calm and stick to our plans and it worked out in the end,” said Ngidi.
“Having (former New Zealand international) Shane Bond as a coach has given me the freedom to express myself. Some people say I bowl too many slower balls. But if it’s working, I keep bowling it. Then, you just throw in a quick one to keep everyone guessing.
The Royals next face the Joburg Super Kings in Paarl tomorrow.