Ngam nearly back to full fitness

Port Elizabeth's fast bowling sensation, Mfuneko Ngam is ahead of his rehabilitation schedule and should be bowling close to 100 percent of his full pace by a target date of October 5.

According to EP coach Adi Birrell, Ngam has an extremely positive attitude towards the long healing process after his injuries in the previous season and they have to hold him back.

" We are conservative in our approach. He is bowling at 60 to 70 percent of his full pace. We do not want to risk any further injuries. By the end of the month an assessment will be made to pick up the pace on his rehabilitation."

The young man from Motherwell, a suburb on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth, made a nerveless start to his international career when he played for South Africa against New Zealand last season. His career was put on hold after a stress fracture during his second international against Sri Lanka.

Since then he has undergone an intensive rehabilitation program drawn up by experts and executed by the EP Cricket management. On 24 July this year he started bowling 12 balls off 5 paces every second day, by 17 August he bowled 18 balls every second day and by 21 August he bowled 30 balls at 55 percent pace.

Ngam bowled six overs at 70 percent pace in a club game on 9 September and another spell during the Spec-Savers Jumbos friendly against the Border Bulldogs in Cuylerville last week. His performance will be assessed at the end of September.