SA’s Ngidi shines in drawn game

TAROUBA, Trinidad (CMC):

Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi grabbed much-needed practice ahead of Wednesday’s start of the opening Test against West Indies by picking up three wickets in the drawn four-day tour match against West Indies Championship XI.

The 28-year-old claimed three for eight as the hosts stumbled to 46 for four in their second innings, before the match was called off after 27 overs amid drizzles on the final day at the Brian Lara Stadium here on Saturday.

After South Africa (SA) declared at their overnight 408 for eight, they quickly turned the screws on the Championship XI, right-armer Ngidi quickly knocking over the top order.

He struck in only the second over when left-hander Jeremy Solozano was caught at the wicket without scoring with six runs on the board, and followed up when he got Keacy Carty (8) to steer a wide ball to third slip.

Four balls later in the same over, Ngidi brought one back to trap Kevin Wickham on the crease, and earn an easy leg-before-wicket decision against the right-hander before he had scored.

Tottering on 16 for three, the Championship XI temporarily halted the flurry of wickets, thanks to opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul (14) and captain Justin Greaves (13 not out).

However, there was time for yet another wicket before the game was called off, off-spinner Dane Piedt getting the left-handed Chanderpaul to sweep a low full toss to short backward square.