Johannesburg - Lungi Ngidi said he hopes the presence of even a small number of spectators will provide energy for the Proteas as they pursue World Cup qualification in the three match One-Day series with Bangladesh which starts on Friday.
Sadly for Ngidi and the Proteas, neither SuperSport Park, which hosts the first and third matches, nor the Wanderers, which hosts the ‘Pink ODI’ on Sunday, will be full of spectators or even half full. The South African government’s extension of the state of disaster protocols put paid to any hopes of decent spectator turnouts for the series.
Only 2000 people will be allowed into the grounds - with the rules stating that the players, media (including TV crews) and security all count towards that figure. In addition CSA and the provincial unions are committed to provide their commercial partners with seats.
Nevertheless, the Northerns Cricket Union confirmed on Tuesday that it would be making 500 tickets available through ticketpros, for those wishing to go to SuperSport Park.
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A limited number of vaccinated people were granted access for the start of the CSA One-Day Cup matches that took place last weekend, with Ngidi saying Tuesday how much he enjoyed their support.
“It was great having some supporters there Friday,” he said. “It makes a massive difference, for certain players it really gets them going, brings out their ‘A games.’ I enjoy performing for people. To put on a performance for them, it makes me happy, your energy levels never drop.”
The Proteas last played in front of a home crowd in March 2020 in Potchefstroom against Australia, just weeks before the country went into lockdown because of Covid.
Although various sports federations have been in contact with the government through the department of Sports, Arts and Culture, minister Nathi Mthethwa has remained quiet about when fans - in numbers greater than 2000 - can return to stadiums.
Lungi Ngidi striking early to get the #Proteas off and running🔥 #SAvIND #BetwayODISeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/3ya61hUSsE
Officials from CSA were locked in meetings from early on Tuesday morning, doing scenario planning around hosting the Bangladesh series with venues at 50 percent and 30 percent of their capacity, but all of those had to be scrapped following the national government’s extension of the National Disaster management protocols. Officials are understood to have been angered by the announcement.
“It was very good to play for Titans and to put in performances for them, it makes me happy and also to have (bowling) loads under the belt.”
Most of the next few days will be spent on strategising and building up energy levels he explained, in the knowledge that the series against the Tigers is vital for South Africa’s World Cup qualification hopes. The Proteas are currently in 10th spot in the ICC Super League log and need to move up into the top seven in order to secure automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
“We understand where we stand now as an ODI team,”said Ngidi. “Our focus is the World Cup and we have to play proper cricket in this series and we have to be clinical against these guys.
“We’re probably more focused and prepared for this tour. Bangladesh have beaten us, I’ve got a point to prove, they got the better of us at the World Cup (in 2019). We’re looking to be just as clinical as we would be against any other team,” said Ngidi.