Lungi Ngidi believes South Africa are “in a very good position” despite trailing Australia by 218 runs at the end of Day 2 of the low-scoring World Test Championship final at Lord’s. With Australia stumbling to 144 for 8 in their second innings, the Proteas fast bowler is confident his side can wrap up the tail early on Day 3 and set themselves up for a title-winning chase.
Speaking after stumps, Ngidi was upbeat about South Africa’s performance. “We’re still very much in the game. They bowled well, but we had a job to do and we stuck to it,” he said. “The coach reminded us to play with conviction-if you’re going to go out, go out on your own terms. You could be the one to turn the match.”
Ngidi, who took three key wickets—including Steve Smith and Pat Cummins—admitted to struggling for rhythm early in the match but said he found his groove after tea on the second day. “In the first innings, there was no rhythm—it felt like I was fighting myself. After tea, I told myself to settle into a spell. Once it started clicking, I just kept going,” he explained. “The crowd chanting my name gave me that extra bit of energy. It really helped push me through a long spell.”
| WTC final AUS vs SA Day 2 Highlights |
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, 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.
Ngidi was confident that South Africa’s bowlers could finish the job early on the third day, removing the final two Australian wickets and keeping the target below 230. “If we can keep it under 230, we’ve got a chance. It won’t be easy against their bowling attack, but we’ll back ourselves.”
Only nine Tests in England have seen the side batting fourth post the highest total, with just three resulting in victory-the most recent being England’s dramatic chase at Headingley in 2019. At Lord’s, targets over 200 have been successfully chased just four times, and only once since 2005.
