Mfuneko Ngam
{{Short description|South African cricketer}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Mfuneko Ngam
| image =
| caption =
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm fast
| columns = 2
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 3
| runs1 = 0
| bat avg1 = –
| 100s/50s1 = 0/0
| top score1 = 0*
| deliveries1 = 392
| wickets1 = 11
| bowl avg1 = 17.18
| fivefor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 3/26
| catches/stumpings1= 1/–
| column2 = First-class
| matches2 = 46
| runs2 = 329
| bat avg2 = 7.31
| 100s/50s2 = 0/0
| top score2 = 35
| deliveries2 = 7,059
| wickets2 = 115
| bowl avg2 = 32.08
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 4/20
| catches/stumpings2= 15/–
| international = true
| country = South Africa
| testdebutagainst = New Zealand
| testdebutdate = 8 December
| testdebutyear = 2000
| lasttestdate = 2 January
| lasttestagainst = Sri Lanka
| lasttestyear = 2001
| source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/46599.html Cricinfo
| date = 13 November
| year = 2022
}}
Mfuneko Ngam (born 29 January 1979) is a South African cricketer who played three Tests for South Africa in the 2000–01 season. However, stress fractures in his legs allowed him to play only five first-class matches between January 2001 and October 2003, and after his return he was unable to regain his place in the national team. The cricket news site Cricinfo reported that these injuries may be due to genetic disorders or a dietary deficiency at a young age.{{cricinfo|ref=ci/content/player/46599.html}}
Playing career
A fast bowler, Ngam played his first five first class matches for the Eastern Province B team, but in his third season he was selected for the South Africa A tour of the Caribbean,[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/10/10125/First-Class_Matches.html First-Class Matches played by Mfuneko Ngam (35)] from CricketArchive, retrieved 21 January 2006 where the team's co-coach, Shukri Conrad, said he was an "outstanding performer".[http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/94769.html 'A' team back after successful Calypso tour], by Bronwyn Wilkinson, published on Cricinfo on 29 September 2000 Three months later, Ngam was called up to the squad in the Third Test against New Zealand in 2000–01, as fast bowler Allan Donald struggled with injury, and he made his debut on 8 December 2000,[http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/86156.html Ngam in Test side as Donald withdraws] by Peter Robinson, published by Cricinfo on 7 December 2005 taking two for 34 in a match cut down to two days by the rain.[http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/NZ_IN_RSA/SCORECARDS/NZ_RSA_T3_08-12DEC2000.html 3rd Test: New Zealand v South Africa at Johannesburg, 8–12 December 2000], scorecard from Cricinfo, retrieved 21 January 2006
A week later, Ngam was offered a Category C contract.[http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/86510.html National contract for Ngam], published by Cricinfo on 14 December 2000 He played South Africa's two next Test matches in the home series with Sri Lanka, taking nine wickets[http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/SL_IN_RSA/STATS/SL_IN_RSA_DEC2000-JAN2001_TEST_AVS.html Sri Lanka in South Africa, 2000/01 Test Series Averages], from Cricinfo, retrieved 21 January 2006 before the first of a series of stress fractures struck. When he eventually returned to the South African Test team for a tour of New Zealand in 2003–04, he suffered another stress fracture four days after being called up to the side.[http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/136509.html Ngam's return put back on hold] and [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/136392.html Boje and Ngam return for NZ tour], from Cricinfo, published 6 and 2 February 2004 respectively
After returning from injury, Ngam moved from Eastern Province (who by now had been renamed the Warriors) to play for the Dolphins, based in neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal. He got 22 wickets for them in the 2004–05 season, his best seasonal haul in first class cricket to that date,[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/10/10125/f_Bowling_by_Season.html First-class Bowling in Each Season by Mfuneko Ngam] from CricketArchive but still moved back to the Warriors before the season ending Pro20 Series,[http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/146568.html Ngam to play for Warriors] by Keith Lane, published by Cricinfo on 31 March 2005 and came to the final with that team, but bowled two overs for 40 in the final as the Warriors failed to defend a total of 121.{{cite web |title=Titans v Warriors, SuperSport Park, Centurion on 27th April 2005 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/82/82127.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=19 March 2024 |url-access=subscription}} In 2006–07, his last first-class season, he took 16 wickets at 34.00 in eight matches. He played one List A match for Eastern Province in 2007–08.
Coaching career
Post retirement, Ngam runs a cricket academy called Fort Hare Academy in the Eastern Cape town of Alice.[http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/makhaya-ntini-mfuneko-ngam-monde-zondeki-lonwabo-tsotsobe-now-kagiso-rabada/ Makhaya Ntini, Mfuneko Ngam, Monde Zondeki, Lonwabo Tsotsobe … now Kagiso Rabada - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/makhaya-ntini-mfuneko-ngam-monde-zondeki-lonwabo-tsotsobe-now-kagiso-rabada/#sthash.TzlUDJJe.dpuf][http://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/rabada-will-go-far---ngam-1779057 Rabada will go far - Ngam]