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Ngidi: It helps having Dale Steyn around

Cape Town - Lungi Ngidi took another significant step towards the 2019 World Cup with a man-of-the-match performance against Zimbabwe on Sunday. 

The 22-year-old, playing in just his ninth ODI, took figures of 3/19 in 8.1 overs as the Proteas secured a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Kimberley. 

Ngidi has put his hand up as the favourite to be Kagiso Rabada's new-ball partner at the World Cup in England next year, but the return of Dale Steyn does provide another option. 

Steyn is back in the ODI squad, though he did not play on Sunday. 

But, speaking after the match, Ngidi acknowledged that just having Steyn in the camp was valuable. 

"Dale is very helpful," Ngidi said.

"He's our most experienced bowler. And he also gave me a few tips when we were out there ... to maybe try a few cross-seam balls, maybe the odd slower one.

"It really does help having Dale in the system, and in the team. There are all sorts of ideas to bounce off him."

The second ODI against Zimbabwe takes place on Wednesday in Bloemfontein and Steyn will probably be selected to play in that match.

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