Proteas Test debutant Lungi Ngidi says bowling shorter spells helps him to bowl consistently at a high intensity.

Ngidi bowled nine overs on day two of the second Test against India at Centurion, taking his first Test wicket – Parthiv Patel, caught behind by Quinton de Kock – and conceding just 26 runs. He also ran out Cheteshwar Pujara with a direct hit at the non-striker’s end.

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The 21-year-old was used in short bowling bursts by Faf du Plessis, which helped to get the best out of him in hot conditions.

‘I’ve just come onto the scene, so bowling shorter spells is probably a better plan,’ said Ngidi. ‘I thought it worked a lot better for me.

‘I was able to bowl at 100% effort every time. The spells are up to the captain. The other guys were bowling similar spells as me. It’s just a game plan we have at the moment.’

Ngidi said his Test debut, on his home ground, had been a ‘dream come true’.

‘I just stuck to my lengths and kept it as basic as possible,’ he added. ‘We watched India bowl in the first innings, how they kept hitting that fifth-stump line, so we did the same thing, maybe with the odd bouncer.

‘Being hypercritical, I could have done a little bit better, but I would take it [1-26].’

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who finished with 3-46 in 22 overs, was impressed by Ngidi’s debut.

‘He’s a very good prospect for Test cricket. He’s very strong like KG [Kagiso Rabada]. He hits the length very hard.’

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images