2018 ICC Awards: Five players who could win Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi has all the attributes that are needed for a fast bowler. He’s strong, tall and fast and poses a serious threat to the batsman by hitting the hard length on a consistent basis. Ngidi made his debut for South Africa in the T20I against Sri Lanka in 2017, but 2018 has been the breakthrough year for him where he found immediate success. Starting off from the Test series against India to the IPL, the 22-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong.

The absence of Dale Steyn due to injury made way for Ngidi in the Test arena. He ran through the Indian batsman and picked up a six-wicket haul which also earned a series victory for the Proteas. The 22-year-old soon earned his ODI debut and looked the most impressive of the lot while the rest struggled against the Indians.

Ngidi has picked up 26 wickets in the 13 ODI matches he’s played at a striking average of 23. In such a young career Ngidi has become the go-to bowler whenever there’s a need to pick up a wicket. He along with Rabada form a lethal combination for South Africa.