South Africa received a timely boost ahead of their 2019 ICC World Cup game against New Zealand as right-arm pacer Lungi Ngidi was declared ‘100 per cent’ fit on Tuesday.
Ngidi, who featured in the opening two games suffered a hamstring injury against Bangladesh, a match his team ended on the losing side. "It's been tough. Injuries are never nice, but with the support staff that I've had around me it's been pretty good, and I've been alright," the official website of the Cricket World Cup quoted Ngidi as saying. "It's just been frustrating not being able to play.
"I've just finished a fitness test today and passed that, so I'm match-fit ready. It's 100 per cent. That's how the fitness test goes and if you're not bowling at 100 per cent then you're not ready to play," he added.
Ngidi's return will bolster the Proteas’ pace attack with senior pro Dale Steyn already being ruled out of the tournament owing to an injury.
South Africa stare at a momentous task if they are to reach the semfinals of the World Cup as they have to ensure that they win their remaining matches from here on. Any hiccups would mean they returning home early than expected. The quest begins with their game against the Kiwis in Edgbaston on Wednesday. Though they have been on song in the competition so far, Ngidi felt there are some weaknesses in the Kiwi camp which South Africa can exploit. "I don't think their middle and lower order have been tested enough," he said.
"They have got most of their runs at the top of the order, so if we can get one or two maybe we can test them. I think then you could be looking at a different situation with their batting," he added.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Ian Kington
