Lungi Ngidi says WTC final against Australia is in balance after end of Day 2

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi said the World Test Championship final is in balance after the end of the second day at Lord’s. Australia ended the day’s play at 144-8 in their second innings, with a lead of 218.

Meanwhile, South Africa was on the backfoot at the start of the second day’s play at 43-4 after Australia posted 212 runs in the first essay. However, the Proteas bounced back as they went to lunch break at 121-5.

But once again, the pendulum swung towards Australia as Temba Bavuma’s team lost their remaining five wickets for only 17 runs and conceded a sizeable lead of 74 runs.

Australian openers – Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne – added 28 runs for the opening alliance but Kagiso Rabada dismissed the former and Cameron Green before tea break. After the interval, Lungi Ngidi got the big wicket of Steve Smith and also dismissed first innings’ top-scorer Beau Webster and Australian skipper Pat Cummins. 

However, a 61-run partnership between Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc helped Australia take their lead over 200.

Speaking after the day’s play, Lungi Ngidi told TMS, “It’s in the balance right now. Two wickets in hand. If we can knock those over and maybe chase 225, people are going to get their money’s worth. I guess that’s what a Test Championship final should bring. A lot of guys have put their hands up. It’s been really exciting and tough cricket out there. We were very disappointed not to get to Australia’s total. We were up against a world-class attack. Every mistake you make is a chance to them and I give credit where credit’s due. They bowled well.”

Meanwhile, Ngidi went wicketless in the first innings and admitted he failed to find any kind of rhythm into his bowling.

“It was tough in the first innings; there was no rhythm, and it looked like I was fighting a lot while bowling. A couple of nerves came back after tea, especially knowing who the guys were in the middle, but he (Bavuma) was asking me to do certain things. I just said, “Let me get into my spell, let me get some rhythm,” and once I felt it was clicking, I just kept running with it.”

South Africa would want to take the remaining two Australian wickets as soon as possible on the third day’s play.