Ngidi fit to play

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is expected to return for Wednesday’s must-win ICC World Cup game against New Zealand at Edgbaston after passing a fitness test.

The 23-year-old limped off with a hamstring injury as South Africa lost to Bangladesh on June 2. He has missed three matches since but after being put through his paces on Monday he told reporters he was raring to go.

“I’m match fit at 100%. I went as hard as I could go in my test, at match intensity,” he said.

Defeat in their first three matches, followed by a washed out contest against the West Indies, hurt South Africa’s chances of advancing but an easy win over Afghanistan in Cardiff on Saturday gave them a glimmer of hope.

Ngidi will boost a pace attack that was handed a blow before the start of the tournament when Dale Steyn dropped out because of injury. Ngidi will likely open with Kagiso Rabada.

“There’s no way we’re not going to bowl short balls, but we need to hit our lengths very well, test the batsmen’s techniques, that’s what we’re good at and if we stick to that then we will do as well as we’re expected to,” he said.

“The pitch dictates what lengths to bowl and with the covers on the pitch for the last few days, the ball will probably nip around and swing a bit, so naturally you will bowl a fuller length.”

FACTS

Hashim Amla has scored 689 runs -- the most by any player in either sides’ current World Cup squads -- in the 18 matches he played against New Zealand.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has scored 564 runs in the 16 matches he played against South Africa. This is the most by any player in New Zealand’s current World Cup squad.

Kiwi opener Martin Guptill’s unbeaten 180, which came against South Africa back in 2017 in Hamilton, remains the highest individual score by any player among the two sides.

South Africa leg spinner Imran Tahir has scalped 17 wickets -- the most by any players in the either sides’ current squad -- in the 12 matches he played against New Zealand.