ICC World Cup 2019 | Lungi Ngidi declares himself “100% fit” for New Zealand clash
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Lungi Ngidi has confirmed that he is “100 percent” fit for South Africa’s must-win encounter against New Zealand at Edgbaston on Wednesday. The South African seamer had played just two games for his side in this World Cup but suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the next three games.
South Africa were forced to field a depleted pace attack after Dale Steyn was ruled out from the tournament but a win against Afghanistan helped them make a move on the points table. While the three points they secured from their first five games is disastrous, to say the least, they retain an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-finals and what has come as a welcome move, Ngidi has announced that he is 100% fit for the team’s next encounter against New Zealand in Edgbaston.
"I just finished a fitness today and I passed that. So I'm match-fit ready. It's 100%. That's how a fitness test goes. If you are not bowling at a 100%, then you are not ready to play, so today was as hard as I could go in match intensity. That's all that I can bring to the game as well, and that's what is expected,” Ngidi told media after practice, reported Cricbuzz.
For South Africa to qualify for the semis, they will almost certainly have to win each of their last four games, with the first one being against New Zealand. While the Blackcaps are undefeated in the tournament so far, Ngidi thinks there could be some weaknesses to be exploited, if South Africa can break through their top three.
“I don't think their middle and lower order have been tested enough. They have got lot of their runs at the top of the order, so if we can get one or two maybe we can test them. I think then you could be looking at a different situation with their batting,” the pacer added.
