Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden showered praise on Lungi Ngidi for bowling a game-changing spell in the second innings against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s after South Africa registered a five-wicket win to end their title drought. After the tea break on the second day, Ngidi got the big wicket of Steve Smith after Marco Jansen dismissed Marnus Labuschagne. 

Ngidi also plumbed first innings top-scorer Beau Webster in front of the wickets and got rid of Australian captain Pat Cummins. The right-arm pacer returned with impressive figures of 3-38 and played a key role in skittling Australia at 207 in the second essay.

Ngidi had looked toothless in the first innings as he went wicketless and conceded 45 runs in eight overs he bowled.

Matthew Hayden said on JioHotstar, “I honestly can’t even remember the last time Australia lost at Lord’s. The legacy of Australian cricket — its results and performances in ICC events — shows how much this team thrives on the big stage. I honestly can’t even remember the last time Australia lost at Lord’s; it’s been something like 22 years of dominance here.”

“This South African side, which is relatively inexperienced compared to Australia at this stage in the World Test Championship cycle, this result is phenomenal. Take someone like Lungi Ngidi — virtually unplayable in the first innings, and then in the second, when it mattered most, he came in and dismissed Steve Smith. That moment was huge. Smith is such an iconic presence in the Australian setup, and from there, South Africa just kept rolling. That’s what finals are all about — finding a way,” he added.

Meanwhile, South Africa had won a major ICC tournament back in 1998 when they won the knockout trophy. Since then, the Proteas had made it to two quarterfinals, 12 semifinals, one final of big events but could not cross the final hurdle.