'South Africa-Australia relationship is competitive' – Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi bowler has made remarkable strides in his brief international career so far, and will look forward to leaving an impression on his maiden tour of Australia.

Australia and South Africa have been engaged in some high-voltage series in the past, and you would expect that to be the case for the upcoming limited overs assignment as well.

“Clashing with Australia is a good competition,” Ngidi said on Saturday, 27 October after a light training session in Perth. “Everyone is competitive, it is good cricket, and everyone loves to watch it. I am expecting nothing less on this tour."

For a fast bowler Ngidi seems to be blessed with a notably calm temparament. It's no surprise then that he feels the team should remain 'civil' on the field.

“The relationship between the two teams is one of competition,” he said. “We keep it on the field, that is where it stays. There will always be aggression on a cricket field, the fast bowlers are always going to be coming at the batsmen and the batsmen will try to take us (bowlers) down. You have to keep it civil, but very competitive, I feel it is going to be a good challenge in this series.”

The series presents Ngidi with an opportunity to further his reputation as one of South Africa's main strike bowlers, espesically with ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 looming on the horizon. Since making his one-day international debut earlier this year, Ngidi has taken 22 wickets from 10 matches at 20.45.

The fast bowler is aware of Australia's reputation for producing pacy pitches, but is detemined to not get carried away by it.

“I have seen the wickets here are pretty quick, that is going to be exciting,” Ngidi said keenly. “The main thing is to assess the conditions that you find on the day. I have always been told to never get ahead of myself, on quick wickets you might get too excited and end up bowling short when it is unnecessary. I will try to keep a level head, always hit competitive lengths and keep my aggression.”

The three-match ODI series will get underway from 11 November in Perth, and will be followed by matches in Adelaide and Hobart. The tour will be capped off by a lone T20I at Carrara on 17 November.