London, June 10 (Reporter) With a place in the final on the line, South Africa have opted for bold, calculated changes, dropping seasoned seamer Dane Paterson in favour of Lungi Ngidi and promoting Wiaan Mulder to a more prominent role in the line-up. Skipper Temba Bavuma described the selection call as one of the toughest the team has faced, highlighting tactical reasons behind the decision. “It was probably one of the tougher decisions that have been made,” Bavuma said. “We’ve seen what Patto did for us at the end of last season. But from a tactical point of view, there’s a little bit more pace from Lungi. He is taller as well.” Ngidi, who returns to the XI, brings added bounce and experience to the bowling unit, Bavuma explained. “Lungi has the experience. He’s played here before – not that Patto hasn’t – but Lungi complements that bowling attack a little bit more. We have a guy like Mulder as well, who kind of gives you something similar to what Patto can do,” he added. While Ngidi’s inclusion was based on tactical advantage, the selection of Wiaan Mulder was seen as a vote of faith in youth and potential. Still early in his red-ball career, Mulder finds himself with a significant opportunity in a high-pressure match. “Mulder is quite young obviously in that position,” Bavuma said. “But it’s about giving him a lot more confidence, backing him, and allowing him to do what he does best. He has an opportunity in a pressure situation.” Former South Africa batter Hashim Amla weighed in on the decision, particularly the challenge of batting at No. 3 — a role that Mulder could potentially fill. “When I first started at three, I was not a No. 3 batter,” Amla recalled. “I actually preferred four and five, and batting at three for South Africa was the only gap at that stage. They asked me to do it, and I did it.” Amla, regarded as one of South Africa’s most technically sound batsmen, noted that the No. 3 role demands both skill and adaptability. “You have to be able to handle a new ball,” Amla said. “At No. 3, you end up coming in pretty early – so you’re always prepping for that. You’ve got to have a good technique, and you’ve got to have the experience of batting in the top order for a long time.” While acknowledging the challenge of the position, Amla suggested Mulder could thrive under the team’s new attacking approach. “You have to be real that you need time to learn the position,” he said. “Although it’s a big final, it’s tough to be in the deep end like that. But he can make it work. He is technically sound, and the style of cricket that South Africa look to be playing is a little bit more attacking. So in many ways it might fit into the way that South Africa are playing.” With the final ahead, South Africa are not merely filling positions, but shaping the team’s long-term direction. The selections of Ngidi and Mulder underscore a strategy that blends current needs with future potential. Whether the decisions yield immediate results or sow seeds for the future, Bavuma and his side are backing conviction over conservatism...////...