Ngidi: Fab Four will hit England hard

LUNGI NGIDI has warned England that South Africa will hit back in the series-deciding third Test this week, with the Proteas’ ‘Fab Four’ fast bowlers set to return. Captain Dean Elgar’s decision to replace a seamer for an extra spinner at Old Trafford was costly after the way their fourpronged pace attack had ripped England apart at Lord’s on their way to an innings victory. And the tourists, who lead the World Test Championship, are expected to return to the quartet of Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen at the Oval, starting tomorrow. ‘Everyone expected us to be under pressure with the way

England have been playing but we know what we’re capable of,’ said Ngidi. ‘We didn’t get to No 1 by chance. How we played at Lord’s is the brand of cricket we want to play.

‘Throw the first punch and you put yourself in a good position to win the Test. With four fast bowlers together, it gave us serious ammunition and it’s exciting to see what could be. People know what to expect if you see us four in the line-up.’ From Manchester to London via a midweek retreat, South Africa have been recharging their batteries after England fought back to level the series at Old Trafford with an innings win of their own. And Ngidi insists the tourists are ready for the decider, as they look to emulate Graeme Smith’s sides of 2008 and 2012 in winning a Test series on these shores.

‘The time away helped. It’s been a long tour but the focus is back, especially after the week we’ve had away from cricket,’ said Ngidi. ‘Sometimes that’s all it takes. And the guys are really excited because there’s something pretty big on the line — winning against England in England. Not many teams can say that.’