Conrad's selection dilemma ahead of Lord's final: Ngidi one more time?
Line and Lenght
Lungi Ngidi of South Africa readies to bowl during day 1 of the 1st Test between South Africa and West Indies at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia Lungi Ngidi has not played any cricket since the One-Day International (ODI) series against Ireland at the beginning of October. Picture: Randy Brooks/AFP
Image: Randy Brooks/AFP
Not so long ago, coach Shukri Conrad found himself with a weakened bowling attack, with Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger out through injury, while Anrich Nortje withdrew from Test cricket during the 2023–25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
However, heading into the WTC final against Australia at Lord's next week, the coach finds himself with a selection headache. While other quicks were injured during the summer — including Lungi Ngidi, who was unavailable for the home Tests — Dane Paterson grabbed his opportunities with both hands.
The 35-year-old took a five-wicket haul in his first Test at home since January 2020, ripping through the Sri Lanka batting line-up at St George's Park in Gqeberha.
In the very next Test match, on Boxing Day at SuperSport Park in Centurion, Paterson claimed another five-for, dismantling the Pakistan batting order to record his second five-wicket haul in Tests — all at 35-years old.
Now aged 36, Paterson is a strong candidate to take the only remaining spot in the bowling attack.
Kagiso Rabada, the leader of the attack, will most likely be joined by left-arm quick Marco Jansen, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, and spinner Keshav Maharaj. Should Conrad opt to play three specialist seamers alongside Mulder and Maharaj, he would then need to choose between Paterson and Ngidi, both of whom are in the squad for the final.
Ngidi is the more experienced Test bowler of the two, and he has also played at Lord's — when South Africa dismantled England by an innings three years ago. However, it is difficult to look past Paterson.
Judging by the conversations during recent media engagements, including the squad announcement in Melrose last month, Conrad may lean towards Ngidi.
The 29-year-old appears fitter, leaner, and sharper than ever, having had time to condition his body last summer and work on his fitness during the Indian Premier League, where he featured in only two matches.
However, at times — including in the last Test at Lord's three years ago, where Ngidi took just one wicket — he can become a liability in the attack due to the fifth-to-sixth stump line he typically bowls.
Though he tends to restrict the run rate, that line is often ineffective and not ideal, especially when bowling with the new ball. By contrast, Paterson has proven very effective with the new ball, bowling tighter lines and consistently forcing batters to play.
The 36-year-old also holds the advantage of experience with the Dukes ball, having played multiple county seasons.
Currently playing for Lord's-based Middlesex County Cricket Club, Paterson brings with him recent and relevant experience at the venue.
Given all the above, Conrad and captain Temba Bavuma have an important decision to make.