NEWS
Follow UsSouth Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi reckons that with India touring his country in a couple of weeks, it could set the ball rolling in the right direction for South Africa cricket. South Africa cricket have gone through a transition phase in the past few years and in recent times, the SJN hearings have brought out more facts about the team's culture.
Ngidi is part of the South Africa Test side that will take on India in a three-match series, starting December 26. This will also be the Proteas' first-ever series in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 cycle.
"A tour like this can really get the ball rolling in the right direction," Ngidi told ESPN Cricinfo.
"The processes we are following now are putting us in a good position to compete in this Test Championship (cycle). We've been speaking about a rebuilding phase, but I think it's coming together."
With a plethora of fast bowlers in the side, Ngidi knows there will be stiff competition for a place in the XI. "We've got very good competition and I am really looking forward to it," Ngidi says. "It pushes players. "I don't think anyone can be comfortable in their spot at the moment," Ngidi said.
Life in a bio-bubble can be tough and Ngidi respects anyone who would want to pull out of the controlled environment. "I have full respect for anybody who pulls out of a tour because mentally they feel like they cannot handle it. I probably have felt that at some stage but it didn't get to the point where I was ready to go home.
"It does affect you a bit. We find different ways to release the pressure."
South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt feels that some brave decisions taken in the recent past and experiments carried out have put them in good stead. "We've got a good crop of players now and we are experimenting a bit with different combinations for different conditions, so I think those brave decisions are putting us in a better position and we are actually getting the results.
"I don't think we can ever stop saying we are rebuilding, but I think we are past that stage now. We've got the momentum going and we kind of know which direction we want to take South African cricket."
(With inputs from PTI)