Lungi Ngidi ‘blocks out the noise' through injuries as Proteas prepare for Zimbabwe
Lungi Ngidi was sensational for the Proteas on day two of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma will miss the upcoming two-match series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo due to a left hamstring strain, an injury that he picked up during the World Test Championship final at Lord's last week.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is also not available for the first Test, which is set to get under way from June 28 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj will take over the captaincy.
Bavuma and Ngidi have battled various injuries over the course of their careers, and almost every time, they have been able to return fitter and in good form.
Before the Test Championship final at Lord's, Ngidi had missed an entire home summer of Test cricket due to an injury, and pitched up for the final and took a crucial three-wicket haul in London.
Bavuma was also ruled out of the back end of the Four-Day Series, and turned up at Lord's and scored a crucial half-century to lead the Proteas to victory.
As a result of the many injuries the two have sustained in the recent past, especially Ngidi, they have come under intense criticism.
'What I've tried to do is obviously just block out the noise. There was obviously a lot to be said before the Test series started, but now I haven't heard anything but good things. So, it's funny how that's turned on its head,' said Ngidi.
'But with the injuries, Temba alluded to it, it's part of sport, to be honest with you. Injuries happen to some guys a lot more than others.
'You never know when it's going to happen, for instance, with Temba, it happened, no one saw that coming, but in the end it was there.
'So, you know, you take it in your stride and you deal with it as best as you can.
'As a bowler, it's obviously a little harder to push through a hamstring, but Temba was able to fight through, which was really impressive because you don't know exactly what that pain feels like.
'But, yeah, you know, there's ups and downs, and I'm on an up right now. So, I'm just looking to ride that wave.'
Apart from the injuries over the last couple of years, Ngidi's critics have used his uncharacteristically low speeds at times and attributed them to a lack of fitness.
However, the 29-year-old proved them wrong once again at Lord's last week as he consistently bowled in the mid-to-high 130km/h range in the final.
The 29-year-old highlighted that he needed to find his rhythm at the Home of Cricket, and that once he got it, the wickets came as well.
'You don't get put on the field unless the fitness trainer or the coach knows that you're going to be able to do a job,' Ngidi said.
'It's a matter of people's opinions of when people say, Oh, you look unfit, but if we had to probably run with each other, I'm probably the one who's going to win.
'So like I said, it's an opinion.
'But after the first innings as well, like I said, I've been there before, and I did struggle from that end as well a couple of years ago.
'But it wasn't a matter of doubt. It was just rhythm and maybe trying too hard, especially maybe trying to prove a point at that time in the game.
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