Ngidi ready for extra workload

Towering paceman Lungi Ngidi wasn’t in South Africa’s XI at the start of the ongoing four-Test series against Australia, but he could be about to be promoted to spearhead of the home side’s vaunted bowling attack.

The 21-year-old has only three Tests to his name and performed with aplomb in the Proteas’ series-levelling victory in Port Elizabeth after being recalled in place of veteran Morne Morkel.

While the irresistible Kagiso Rabada attracted attention in more ways than one during his player-of-the-match display, Ngidi proved a more than useful sidekick and collected figures of 3-51 and 2-24 to take his career tally to 14 wickets at 16.42 apiece in an outstanding start to life at the top level.

Standing 193cm, Ngidi is narrowly taller than the 191cm Rabada and could take the new ball in the crucial third Test in Cape Town, starting on March 22.

Rabada has a remarkable 135 wickets from 28 tests at 21.45 and dismantled Australia’s batting line-up on his way to figures of 11-150 in the second Test.

Like Rabada, Ngidi boasts ample pace and has the ability to swing the ball, but while he admires the aptitude of one of the finest young fast bowling prospects to emerge on the world stage in recent years, he insists he’s his own man.

"He’s a great bowler to get information from and to learn from," Ngidi said of Rabada.

"But I am a different person. I’m a lot more reserved as a person, so I can never say I want to be KG Rabada.

"I’ve got my own abilities, my own skills and traits."

Those skills could be put to the ultimate test at Newlands, with Ngidi set to shoulder more of the workload.

Rabada, the world’s No.1 ranked Test bowler, has been suspended for the remainder of the series, pending an appeal.

The firebrand was found guilty of deliberately making inappropriate contact with Australia captain Steve Smith on day one after an hour-long hearing with match referee Jeff Crowe at St George’s Park on Sunday night.

Having been charged with a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, he was fined 50 per cent of his match fee and handed three demerit points to take his total to eight, which equates to a two-Test ban. 

Rabada followed up his nudge on Smith by screaming in the face of David Warner after castling the Australia vice-captain, with the send-off resulting in him being hit with a Level 1 offence, a 15 per cent fine of his match fee and an additional demerit point, taking his total to nine.   

With Dale Steyn reportedly not yet ready to resume his Test career following a heel injury, Morkel appears likely to be given a recall if Rabada is suspended.

"Their judgement is the final call. I've got no right to say they're wrong. We just take care of what we can on the field," Ngidi said of Rabada’s ban. 

"KG as a player, he knows he might have crossed the line. Maybe not. 

“Who are we to say where the line is? It's an interesting situation. I've never been part of it. Coming into international cricket and seeing something like this happen, it does take you aback and make you rethink your actions as a player.

"You can be aggressive within your actions, with what you say, or in general the areas you bowl," Ngidi said.

"Putting a batsman under pressure, having a presence, letting him know that you’re there. Those are the things I lean towards as a cricketer.

"I don’t really have to say much. I feel just a look may be good enough.

"Those are the kinds of things I say are aggression."

Ngidi made his Test debut in January and had an immediate impact, grabbing 6-39 in the second innings against India and earning player-of-the-match honours.

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage