Makhaya Ntini

Makhaya Ntini

Source: [1], 31 December 2006

Makhaya Ntini (born 6 July 1977 in Eastern Cape Province), affectionately nicknamed George by his teammates, is a South African cricketer, the first black player to play for the South African team. A fast bowler, he tends to bowl from wide of the crease with brisk, although not express, pace. He has survived controversy early on in his career to become his country's third most successful Test wicket taker after Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.

Background

Makhaya Ntini came from humble beginnings where he tended cattle in his home village of Mdingi in the Eastern Cape. It was there that his talent was discovered and he was sent to Dale College in King William's Town where he would develop his game. His action was intentionally modelled on West Indian great Malcolm Marshall. After a brief spell with Border his break came courtesy of an injury to Roger Telemachus and Ntini was included in the South African squad to tour Australia late in 1997. His international debut came on Janurary 16th at Perth against New Zealand where he took 2/30 off his full quota of 10 overs. A couple of months late on March 19th he made history by becoming the first black South African Test cricketer (though not the first non-White cricketer, as bi-racial Charles Llewellyn made his Test debut in 1896). The Test match was at home in Cape Town against Sri Lanka and his maiden wicket was Aravinda De Silva who would be one of his 2 wickets in the game.

Allegations

His career looked like coming to an end in 1999 when Ntini was charged [2] and then convicted of rape. The case caused widespread controversy in South Africa. Maintaining his innocence, Ntini was acquitted on appeal and looked to rebuild his international cricket career.

International career

Makhaya Ntini (second right) bowls at the WACA Ground, Perth, Australia on December 16, 2005, the first day of the First Test, Australia v South Africa. Ntini took five wickets for 64 runs on the day. He made his international debut at the WACA, in 1998.

Ntini returned to the South African side for a Sharjah tournament in 2000. His improvement was clear as he bowled with greater control. In 2003 he became the first South African to take 10 wickets at Lord's Cricket Ground. Arguably his best performance, however, came on 12 April, 2005, when Ntini took 13 wickets for 132 runs against the West Indies at Port of Spain. This remains the best bowling performance by a South African cricketer in a Test match. On 3 March, 2006, Ntini also achieved the best bowling figures by a South African in an ODI, demolishing Australia with 6 wickets for 22 runs. Ntini is a popular figure in South African sport and he was voted their favourite sportsman in a research poll conducted by the South Africa Press Association. [3] From recent performances, Ntini has established himself as South Africa's premier fast bowler and one of the leading fast bowlers in the world. As of December 2006 he is ranked as the world's second-best Test bowler behind Muttiah Muralitharan, and fifth-best ODI bowler, according to the ICC rankings. [4]

References

"South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini to be charged with rape". Cricinfo. 1999-01-14. Retrieved 2007-01-01.

"Ntini voted South Africa's favorite sportsperon". Cricinfo. 2005-12-30. Retrieved 2007-01-01.

"Official Rankings for International Cricket". LG ICC Player Rankings. Retrieved 2007-01-01.