Ngidi beats Paterson to South Africa's third seamer spot in WTC Final
LONDON (AP) — Lungi Ngidi's experience gave him the edge over Dane Paterson as South Africa's third seamer for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's.
Ngidi hasn't played a test since August but 19 tests and 55 wickets, including Joe Root's at Lord's in 2022, put him in the pacers lineup with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen when the team was named on Tuesday, a day before the final.
Paterson, more deceptive than fast, earned five-fors in his last two tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in December and played at Lord's three times in the last two months for Middlesex in the English County Championship second division but that wasn't enough.
'Probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made. We see what Dane Paterson did for us to the end of last season,' captain Temba Bavuma said.
'But it was more from a tactical point of view. Probably a little bit more pace from Lungi, guess he's a bit taller as well (1.93 meters to 1.75). Lungi also has a better record, not taking away anything from Patto. But I think he (Ngidi) will complement that bowling attack a little more. We have a guy like (Wiaan) Mulder, who can give us something similar like Patto.'
Mulder was chosen to bat at No. 3 ahead of Tony de Zorzi, who has more runs but hasn't bowled in a test. Mulder's medium pace has taken 30 wickets in 18 matches.
'It's about giving him a lot more confidence, keep backing him and just allowing him to do what he does best,' Bavuma said of Mulder. 'He has an opportunity in a pressure situation, but I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to play his game.'
___
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
___
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
16 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Tuchel runs into early problems with England as critics circle
Hired amid skepticism because of his nationality, German coach Thomas Tuchel was brought in as England manager to get the national team from soccer's birthplace 'over the line' at a World Cup for the first time since 1966. One year out from the 2026 tournament in North America and Tuchel has already run into problems — and is feeling the wrath of England's fans, too.
Hamilton Spectator
20 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
South Africa wins toss and bowling first against Australia in WTC final
LONDON (AP) — South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against defending champion Australia at Lord's in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday. Cloud cover decided the call. 'Massive (occasion),' South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. 'You can hear the South African accents as well in the stands. Should be a spectacle.' Unlike South Africa, Australia didn't have a warmup game, but captain Pat Cummins said they were ready. 'Preparation has been unreal. All the guys in the team are ready to go,' Cummins said. 'We have had about 10 days of preparation. I don't think there's any extra pressure. We've been here before and won it. So it's just about going out and enjoying it.' The teams were named on Tuesday. Australia has gone with a new top order by pushing up Marnus Labuschagne to open in a test for the first time, and placing Cameron Green at No. 3 for his first test in 15 months. Josh Hazlewood has displaced Scott Boland in the pace attack. South Africa brought back Lungi Ngidi as the third seamer in the only change to the team from its last test in January in Cape Town, a four-day win over Pakistan. ___ Lineups: South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. ___ AP cricket:
Fox Sports
23 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
South Africa wins toss and bowling first against Australia in WTC final
Associated Press LONDON (AP) — South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against defending champion Australia at Lord's in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday. Cloud cover decided the call. 'Massive (occasion)," South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. 'You can hear the South African accents as well in the stands. Should be a spectacle." Unlike South Africa, Australia didn't have a warmup game, but captain Pat Cummins said they were ready. 'Preparation has been unreal. All the guys in the team are ready to go,' Cummins said. 'We have had about 10 days of preparation. I don't think there's any extra pressure. We've been here before and won it. So it's just about going out and enjoying it.' The teams were named on Tuesday. Australia has gone with a new top order by pushing up Marnus Labuschagne to open in a test for the first time, and placing Cameron Green at No. 3 for his first test in 15 months. Josh Hazlewood has displaced Scott Boland in the pace attack. South Africa brought back Lungi Ngidi as the third seamer in the only change to the team from its last test in January in Cape Town, a four-day win over Pakistan. ___ Lineups: South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. ___ AP cricket: recommended in this topic
