SA20 2025 is going to be blockbuster: Paarl Royals' Lungi Ngidi

11 October 2024: Lungi Ngidi has been the spearhead of the Royals attack the past two SA20 seasons. The experienced seamer has claimed 24 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 24.45 at an economy of 8.38. Although having been reared on the fast tracks of the Highveld, it was a surprise to many that the Royals brought the big seamer to Boland Park.

But the Royals talent identification team had been watching Ngidi closely over the years whilst playing international cricket for the Proteas both on the subcontinent and the West Indies. With the Boland Park surface behaving in similar fashion due to the intense winelands summer heat, Ngidi’s vast array of slower balls and cutters have been hugely effective.

"Yeah, Paarl is unpredictable. We don’t even know what to expect on the day," Ngidi said. "Obviously, I’ve played most of my cricket up north, but I ended up at the Royals for the past two seasons. I’ve been over the moon that they have picked me up."

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The 28-year-old has certainly enjoyed becoming a fan favourite with the fervent Royal supporter base.

"The fan base in Paarl expects a lot from us. They let us know when we are not playing well," he said. "But we love and appreciate them. They always come out in their numbers. Very happy to have that kind of crowd support."

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The Royals have reached the playoffs in both SA20 seasons, but unfortunately have come unstuck against the Pretoria Capitals and Joburg Super Kings respectively.

With new acquisitions such as former England captain Joe Root, Afghanistan spin sensation Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and former Indian T20 World Cup-winner Dinesh Karthik.

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"On two occasions we’ve got there, but just can’t get over the line. So, definitely push through to that playoff final and finally get over that semi-final barrier," he said. "It is going to be an exciting season. We’ve already tasted the past two seasons, but I think Season 3 is going to be a blockbuster."

The Paarl Royals begin their SA20 2025 campaign against the defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park on January 11.