Lungi Ngidi faced a lot of criticism for his ordinary bowling performance in the first innings of the WTC 2025 final currently underway between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s, but on Thursday (June 12), during the second day’s play of the one-off match, he turned his doubters into believers by producing a super show with the ball. The 29-year-old fast bowler Lungi Ngidi from Durban picked up three wickets for 35 runs in nine overs for the Temba Bavuma-led side and helped them reduce the Aussies to 144 for 8 in the 2nd innings.
Nothing could contain Lungi Ngidi on the second day of the World Test Championship decider. Least of all, himself, as he exploded with adrenalin, removing danger man Beau Webster to expose Australia’s tail. That was the second of three critical wickets that have helped give South Africa renewed hope in the Ultimate Test, heading into the third day. The Aussies got to stumps at 144/8 and 218 runs ahead. But no Day 2 wicket was bigger than his first, trapping Steve Smith lbw for 13
Lungi Ngidi’s superb spell puts Australia on backfoot in WTC finals 2023-25
After Australia posted 212 in the first innings, their bowlers, led by Cummins, took control. South Africa were bowled out for 138 despite a promising 64-run partnership between Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, who top-scored with 45. Cummins delivered a devastating spell after lunch, finishing with 6 for 28-his best Test figures as captain and the best by any captain at Lord’s. He also claimed his 300th Test wicket during the innings.
In response, South Africa’s seamers hit back hard. Rabada struck twice before tea, removing Khawaja and Green. After the break, Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder joined in, dismantling the middle order to reduce Australia to 73 for 7. Only a spirited 43 from Alex Carey and a 61-run stand with Mitchell Starc steadied the innings, pushing the lead past 200. Rabada eventually trapped Carey lbw late in the day.
Lungi Ngidi opened his wicket account by trapping Steve Smith (13) in front of the wickets on the fifth ball of the 19th over and then removed Beau Webster (9). Like Smith, Webster was also adjudged LBW out. On the fifth ball of his next over, Lungi Ngidi picked his third wicket in the form of Pat Cummins, who was clean bowled for six runs from five balls.
After impressing with his performances in the second innings, Lungi Ngidi said that his team is hopeful about winning the WTC 2025 final and the Proteas want to give themselves the best chance.
Lungi Ngidi admits Smith dismissal ‘probably the best’ of his career
The World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s has been nothing short of a dramatic contest, filled with momentum shifts and standout performances from both South Africa and Australia. Among the many turning points on Day 3, one of the most significant was Lungi Ngidi’s prized wicket of Australian veteran Steve Smith.
Lungi Ngidi, known for his ability to strike in crucial moments, delivered a well-directed ball that trapped Smith plumb in front. The former Australian skipper, who had played a composed knock of 66 in the first innings, was dismissed for just 13 in the second innings. His brief stay at the crease lasted 25 deliveries and included a solitary boundary. The delivery proved too deceptive for Smith, who misjudged the line and length, resulting in a clean leg-before dismissal.
Speaking after the day’s play, Lungi Ngidi revealed that dismissing a player of Smith’s calibre in a match of this magnitude was deeply satisfying.
“I think because of the stage that we’re playing on, that’s probably the best wicket I could’ve gotten,” he said.
Lungi Ngidi further admitted that he was overwhelmed by the experience and found it difficult to fully express the emotions he felt after sending back one of the modern game’s greatest Test batters.
“Having struggled a bit in the first innings and then to be able to get that wicket, at that stage, it probably ranks very high up there for me. I can’t put into words how I felt about taking that wicket. Such a relief,” he added.
Australia’s second innings were wrapped up for 207 runs. After going wicketless in the first innings, the 29-year-old Lungi Ngidi bagged three wickets by conceding 38 runs in 13 overs. Shouldering him was Kagiso Rabada, who claimed four wickets for 59 runs in 18 overs. Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Aiden Markram registered one wicket each to their names.
None of the Australian batsmen were able to score big runs, except for Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc. Facing 50 balls, Carey scored 43 runs, including five boundaries. On the other hand, lead pacer Starc stayed unbeaten on 58 runs. His unbeaten knock came in 136 balls and was laced with five boundaries.
Opening the innings, Marnus Labuschagne scored 22 runs off 64 balls. During his knock, the right-hander smashed two boundaries. Later, Josh Hazlewood faced 53 balls, in which he smashed 17 runs, including two boundaries. South Africa now need to chase a target of 282 runs to clinch their first-ever historic WTC title and are on the verge of acheiving it when they will score the remaining 68 runs on Day 4 thaks due to the magical ton from Aiden Markram and a fighting half century through injuries by skipper Temba Bavuma.
Also Read: ICC WTC 2023-25: “We Are Playing For A Trophy”- Mark Boucher’s Direct Jibe Ahead Of Final