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PERTH, Oct 30 (Reuters) – Young South Africa speedster Lungi Ngidi has been singled out Australia's newly-appointed 50-over captain Aaron Finch has a major threat to his side's chances in the three-match one-day international series, which begins in Perth on Sunday.
The 22-year-old has quickly adapted to the rigors of bowling on the international stage since making his South Africa debut in a Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in January, 2017.
With 22 wickets from his first 10 ODIs at an average of 20.45, and a similarly impressive haul in tests, the Durban-born has just emerged from the team's strike bowlers.
Ngidi believes Australia's battling unit is replete with big hitters, while Finch is particularly 'dangerous' and will provide the tourists with stiff competition upfront.
"They come hard at the bowlers, they're very confident and that's really exciting to see a bowler," Ngidi told Reuters in an interview.
"You've always got to be up for the challenge, you know they're going back down, they're not going to give you their wickets."
Explosive opening batsman Finch, 31, leads Australia in the shortest Twenty20 format and last week replaced Tim Paine as the leader in the 50-over format. He has scored 11 centuries in 93 ODIs with a strike-rate of over 90.
Speaking after a training session at Optus Stadium – Perth's new 60,000 seat where he is likely to play his first international match in Australia – Ngidi said his nerves in check would be a challenge.
"As a youngster coming into the team can be a bit bit intimidating but I'm going to try and keep a level head," he said.
"I'm always excited to play international cricket, I'm always excited to get out of the pitch … the stadiums, it's a new environment for me, I've never been here. nerve-wracking thing for me. "
Also exciting the youngster is the prospect of bowling on Australia's renowned fast and bouncy pitches.
"On quick wickets, you've got to change," Ngidi said while standing on the $ 1.3 billion stadium's vast outfield.
"So you've got to be able to nail your yorkers, slower balls as well – you've gotten it done as well as you can.
"I can see you're pretty much here."
FLYING THE FLAG
Earlier this year, when South Africa hosted Australia for a test series – infamously remembered for the ball-tampering scandal which saw Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft suspended by Cricket Australia – Ngidi was competing with the now-retired Morne Morkel for a place in the side.
Ngidi picked up five wickets in the second test against Australia at Port Elizabeth, including the key wicket of Warner. He is aware that short-pitched bowling is going to be a potent weapon on the pitches in Australia.
With the 50-over World Cup scheduled next year, Ngidi has recognized that they have finished their best matches.
"There's always been a cricket, but there is that hint of World Cup preparation," he said.
"I think this is going to be one of the best chances (for the teams) to look at their World Cup preparation."
For Ngidi, playing for South Africa on the world of instinct in a great sense of pride.
"There's a few million there that I would like in," the fast bowler said. "I'm out here in Australia with the opportunity to represent them.
"So I'm flying the South African flag and it's a cricketer and a person." (Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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