“I have been working on a lot of different skills with Langers (Charl Langeveldt) and they seem to be paying off and I’m really excited to execute my skills in the middle,” said Proteas bowler, Lungi Ngidi, two days ahead of the first Test match between South Africa and West Indies in St. Lucia.

Having played a two-day warm-up game, Ngidi offered extensive insight into the nature of the playing conditions. “The wicket is on a bit of a mound, it does put you off with your jump, your run-up. The outfield has been really slow, the batsmen will have to run hard. There’s been a bit of bounce. It was different compared to what people thought it was going to be.”

The weather is likely to play a central role through the course of the Test series. “The overhead conditions change literally every 30 minutes. One minute it’s rain, one minute it’s scorching hot, the next it’s windy. I just think we’ve got to be aware of it when we’re out there batting and when we’re out there bowling.”

Ngidi believes the Test series will be evenly matched, with experienced bowlers such as Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada on both sides. The South African batsmen are well-versed with combating seaming conditions, having played extensively at SuperSport Park and Wanderers.

Ngidi emphasized that the team is focused on winning the series.

“We’re looking for a Test series win. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to put in solid, convincing performances, and blow teams away.” He continued, “I’m sure a lot of fans back home would love to see a Proteas win. That’s exactly what we’re looking for and working towards.”