August 11, 2024

How Lungi Ngidi learnt to ease up and enjoy his cricket

The fast bowler grapples with the dual challenges of supporting his family while stepping into a senior seamer role with the West Indies squad. At just 22, Lungi Ngidi had already earned his first central contract with South Africa and signed his debut IPL contract. However, his life took a significant turn with the tragic passing of his father, Jerome. This profound personal loss became a pivotal moment for Ngidi, reshaping his responsibilities as he returned to support his mother and three older brothers.

At that point, Ngidi was only a year into his international career, already embodying a remarkable South African success story. Born shortly after the end of apartheid to parents who worked as a caretaker and housekeeper at his primary school, he earned a scholarship to the prestigious Hilton College. His journey from these humble beginnings to becoming a notable professional athlete is a testament to his determination and talent.

In just eight matches for South Africa, Ngidi captivated with his dynamic fast bowling, bringing immense joy to his parents. For the first time in their lives, they had the opportunity to fly and stay in a hotel to watch their son play, savoring a moment of pride and excitement they had never previously imagined.

Ngidi’s Journey: From Family Responsibility to Finding Joy in Cricket Beyond the Game

Ngidi had committed to providing financial support for his family, as his earnings had now surpassed anything they had previously experienced. However, when his father faced complications from back surgery and passed away, Ngidi found himself unexpectedly assuming the role of family head much earlier than he had anticipated. “My dad passing helped me mature a lot quicker. I realised that cricket’s not the be-all and end-all for me. Life goes on off the field,” Ngidi remarks from Trinidad, where South Africa will face the West Indies in the first of two Test matches this month.

Despite being the youngest of four sons, Ngidi held the highest-paying job. With his initial provincial contracts, he had already purchased a house for his parents and took on even greater responsibility following Jerome’s death. In South Africa, this is often referred to as “black tax.” The term describes the financial support that people of color, often the first in their families to achieve higher education and white-collar jobs, provide to their parents who were denied such opportunities due to apartheid.

It’s not something that weighs on Ngidi. “I’m in the position that allows me to support my family. It’s what has been put on my plate, so I’m happy to do it,” he says. “My family is my main priority, so making sure that they’re okay is always top of my list. And cricket helps me do that.”

But while sport is a means to a bigger end for him, with time he has realised he can also allow himself to enjoy it. “If I’m going to let cricket drag me down every day – and this is something I do every day – then I’m going to be a very miserable person. There’s a lot more to my life than just cricket. That helped me take things into perspective and understand that at the end of the day, it is a sport.”

Ngidi’s Six-Year Journey: Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing a New Approach

It has taken Ngidi six years, numerous injuries, missed tournaments, and being dropped from the national team to reach this point.

In 2018, after bidding a final farewell to his father, he returned to the IPL and took 11 wickets in seven matches at a team-leading average of 14.18, contributing to CSK’s tournament-winning campaign. Although he missed the following season due to a side strain, CSK retained him for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2022, after moving to Delhi Capitals, he did not feature in any games for two seasons. This year, he faced another setback with a back injury, adding to his struggles following a period of poor form and being dropped from South Africa’s Test squad after underwhelming tours of England and Australia.

“At the time, I probably felt a lot of anger and frustration,” Ngidi says of being left out. “Initially I wasn’t too sure as to what was happening, but when you see the guys that have replaced you, you think it is their time to get an opportunity. Once I actually had the conversation with the coach [Shukri Conrad] about what he expects from me, it was very easy to move on.

“The most important thing is just the clarity in what coaches want from you. Once you have that as a player, it makes it very easy to move forward. Whereas if you’re in a dark space and no one’s communicating with you, then it becomes very difficult.”

It’s likely that Conrad primarily wanted Ngidi to adopt a more aggressive approach and focus on taking more wickets. Despite his ability to maintain tight lines, even when not in the wickets, Ngidi was South Africa’s most economical seamer against England and Australia in 2022. However, he managed only 11 wickets in six Tests that year, a stark contrast to the 22 wickets he claimed in five Tests in 2021.

Ngidi Embraces Dual Role: Balancing Pressure and Wickets While Navigating Selection Challenges

Ngidi says he can do both – dry up the runs and take wickets. “I provide a controlling role and I try to make sure that I build as much pressure as I can, especially when I’m opening the bowling with someone like KG [Kagiso Rabada], who’s a natural wicket-taker.

“If I’m creating pressure on the other end, it obviously makes it very difficult for teams to get away from us. I’m very happy with that role. When it comes to wickets, my numbers speak for themselves. I do take wickets, but I also see myself as someone who provides control and support to KG.”

Ngidi made his return to Test cricket in the Cape Town Test against India in January but had limited opportunities, bowling just six overs in a match that concluded in under two days. Following this, he claimed 21 wickets in franchise and domestic T20s. Despite his impressive performances, he was not selected for the T20 World Cup. Instead, Ottneil Baartman, a breakout star from the SA20, and Anrich Nortje, who was then out of form, were chosen, while Ngidi was named a traveling reserve.

With the recent experience of a Test snub, Ngidi took missing out on the final 15 in his stride. “You don’t select yourself, which is always the most difficult thing as a player. Not making the World Cup squad was a bit disappointing but it’s just a matter of who they’re going to pick to play. That doesn’t really bother me anymore.”

Ngidi’s Behind-the-Scenes Contributions and Eager Return to Test Cricket as a Senior Player

Instead, he enjoyed doing what he could from the sidelines to help South Africa make it to their first men’s World Cup final.

“Being a reserve, you know that if anything were to happen to anyone, you’re next in line, so it’s about staying on your toes, making sure that you’re ready. And we were able to help the guys prepare well. Myself and Nandre [Burger, the left-arm fast bowler] would help the guys out in the nets. Whoever wanted to face a few more balls or if they wanted something specific, we could bowl that for them. It felt like we were contributing, but from behind the scenes.”

Both Burger and Ngidi are anticipated to be in the starting XI for the upcoming Test series in the West Indies. Ngidi, in particular, is keen to return to the format, especially given his role as a senior player in a largely inexperienced squad. “Test cricket has always been my first love. And I’ve toured the West Indies before, so I know what these guys bring to the table. Other guys [in the South Africa squad] seem to ask me a lot more questions and that’s when I started to realise that the older I get, my opinion is valued more.”

Among the seamers in South Africa’s squad, only Rabada has more Test experience than Ngidi. Together, they claimed 19 wickets in South Africa’s last Test series in the West Indies in 2021, which they won 2-0. Notably, both Rabada and Ngidi each took a five-wicket haul in the first match of the series.

Ngidi Embraces a New Era for South African Cricket with Renewed Focus and Experience

Since then, South Africa has struggled, winning only three out of eight series. They view this tour as a chance for a fresh start and a way to turn their fortunes around.

“We understand the expectation people have of us and I’m very excited for it,” Ngidi says. “It’s a new group. There’s a lot of new faces. The energy in the environment is what I think is most important for success, and we’ve got a good one right now. I guess it’s just down to putting the results down when you get on the field.”

For Ngidi, however, it’s about more than just cricket. At 28, as the primary breadwinner for his family, he brings seven years of international experience to the table. He is now taking the opportunity to savor the positives of the game while letting go of the rest.

“I’m having a lot more fun now. I stress a lot less. I get the opportunity to actually enjoy my cricket. Not much tends to worry me these days, people’s opinions and all that stuff. It doesn’t get to me like it used to when I was younger. I’m very chilled. And hopefully I sound a bit more mature.”