South Africa have named fast bowler Lungi Ngidi in the playing XI for this week’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London, England.
Ngidi has not played Test cricket in 10 months. He has been preferred to seamer Dane Paterson, whose previous Test yielded a five-wicket innings haul against Pakistan in Centurion.
Paterson has experience of English conditions in the County Championship with Nottinghamshire and, more recently, Middlesex.
“Probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made. We see what Dane Paterson did for us to the end of last season,” said Proteas captain Temba Bavuma.
“But it was more from a tactical point of view. Probably a little bit more pace from Lungi, guess he’s a bit taller as well. Lungi also has a better record, not taking away anything from Paterson. Ngidi has the experience, he’s played here before, not that Paterson hasn’t.
“But I think Ngidi will complement that bowling attack a little more. It was probably one of the difficult decision we had to make.”
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been named at position number three in the order instead of batsman Tony de Zorzi.
“Mulder is quite young in that position. But I think having played with Mulder, having seen him and the way he has grown in the last two years within the red-ball format,” added Bavuma.
“It’s about giving him a lot more confidence, keep backing him and just allowing him to do what he does best. He has an opportunity in a pressure situation, but I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to play his game.”
South Africa World Test Championship final XI
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickelton
- Wiaan Mulder
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Tristan Stubbs
- David Bedingham
- Kyle Verrynne (wicketkeeper)
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
