09 June,2025 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Lungi Ngidi (Pic: ICC)
As South Africa gears up to face Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, pacer Lungi Ngidi feels that his side has the potential to defeat Pat Cummins and his men to clinch the title.
Speaking about his team's chances of winning the title, "I don't think I can put it into words, to be honest. We've come close over the last couple of years now with other different tournaments. For me, this is the ultimate form of cricket and to be able to bring this back home would be a dream come true," Lungi told ICC.
Further, he also stated that if they manage to win the WTC Final, it would then change the landscape of cricket in their nation and would play a crucial role in bringing back the focus to red-ball cricket.
"I don't want to jinx anything, but it would be awesome. I think it could change the landscape of cricket in South Africa and just bring that focus back to red-ball cricket," he said.
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Wickets galore on Day 1 of WTC final between South Africa, Australia
Temba Bavuma is all set to lead South Africa in the WTC Final against Australia. The title clash is scheduled to be played at the Lord's Cricket Ground from June 11 to 15.
If Australia manages to defend their title, they will then become the first team to retain the WTC mace.
The 29-year-old pacer also expressed excitement at playing at the Lord's Cricket Ground by saying that every cricketer dreams of playing at the venue.
"I feel very ready as I have had a lot of time to prepare for this. It's any cricketer's dream to play at Lord's. I've been blessed with the opportunity before, playing England at Lord's, and that was quite something for me with the nerves and the excitement," he said.
WTC final: Squads
South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.
Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett.
