Share

Ngidi: I'm more reserved than Rabada

Cape Town - Proteas newbie Lungi Ngidi doesn't see himself getting into any trouble for aggressively sending off opposition batsmen.

In the story of the series so far, second Test hero Kagiso Rabada was suspended for the final two Tests against Australia after he screamed into the face of Steve Smith after getting him out before bumping shoulders with the Australian captain. 

Rabada also accepted a lesser charge for his animated send-off of Aussie opener David Warner in the same match. 

It means that the Proteas will be without the No 1 ranked bowler in Test cricket for Tests in Cape Town and Johannesburg. 

Morne Morkel will be expected to come in and replace Rabada, but there is no doubt that the South African attack will be less potent without the man who took match figures of 11/150 in PE. 

Speaking about the incident, Ngidi distanced himself from commenting on the ICC's decision, but he did help explain it all from a fast bowler's perspective. 

"Aggression can be in what you do, what you say or where you bowl … and that is where I lean to as a cricketer," he said.

"I feel that you don't really have to say much ... just a look might be good enough. Those are the kinds of things that I would say is aggression."

The 21-year-old did understand, however, how easy it was for things to spill over. 

"Everything happens in the moment. You don't have any control over your emotions ... you try and control them as much as possible," he said.

"The game means so much to us as players and you can't really hold yourself back if you're excited or happy.

"He (Rabada) is an aggressive cricketer and that it just the way he plays. I'm a different type of person, so it may look different. It's really competitive out there so your emotions do take over at sometimes.

"There is a lot that happens on the field that many people probably don't hear or see, but that's part of the game. Cricket has always been a tough game. There is a bit of tension that always happens out there between bowler and batsman."

Ngidi added that he had been leaning on Rabada for advice throughout his short international career so far, but that he was no beginning to find his own feet. 

"He is a great bowler to get information from, but I am a different person as well," Ngidi said.

"I'm a lot more reserved. I can never say I want to be 'KG' Rabada ... I've got my own abilities, skills and traits. His advice here and there is really helping me improve as a person and as a cricketer."

The third Test gets underway in Cape Town on March 22.

 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1847 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1816 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1106 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 474 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 194 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 262 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE