Makhaya Ntini - A spirited performer and a unifying element for South Africa - Opinion
South Africa was a land which had to bear the brunt of an Apartheid legacy and yearned for a unifying influence to settle scores. It took the duo of Frederick De Klerk and Nelson Mandela to instigate the first multi racial elections for South Africa in 1994,
which set the stage. In sport however, white dominance continued to prevail until the enforcement of a quota system, which gave previously underprivileged groups the chance to represent South Africa.
One man from Mdingi near King William’s Town however, had made headlines the world over for becoming the first black cricketer to represent his country. His name is etched into the mind as much as his alluring smiles when he was on the field. Hailing from
a poor background, Makhaya Ntini was spotted by the then United Cricket Board’s development program in 1993. His discovery changed the script of South African cricketer forever. Ntini was fast tracked into the Protea side for the 1998 season against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758
at home and despite the fact that he underperformed with the ball, he already won many hearts from fan clubs, which had not been accustomed to seeing a black cricketer represent South Africa before.
It was not until the 2000s however, that the legend of Makhaya Ntini became a regular force that the world had to reckon with. First came a five wicket haul at Lord's in 2003. Then that followed a string of consistent performances both home and abroad, that
made him one of the best bowlers of his generation. His method was simple yet strangely complicated at the same time. He came from a wide angle, using the depth of the crease and deployed the ball with ferocity. What baffled impartial observers, was that Ntini
neither had the pace nor the height to trouble the batsmen and yet managed to inflict severe damage onto various oppositions. It seemed as if his limited pace could be feasted upon from a distance by many batsmen who aimed at getting forward. What surprised
the adventurists was the fact that the delivery would http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Victor-James-Marks-c95127 on to some of the most astute batsmen who ended up nicking it or lobbing a catch to the fielder.
In many ways, an African version of a http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Malcolm-Denzil-Marshall-c73986 would be the best way to describe Makhaya Ntini. His run up was rhythmic and had a method to it. His delivery stride was also characterized by a pivotal movement where both his arms would be adjacent
to one another as he reached the popping crease. Then came his most prized attribute which was to swing the ball in both directions. His relentlessness used to pay off more than often for his side, as a tally of 390 wickets in Test cricket and 266 scalps in
ODIs, underlined his status as one of the best South African bowlers of all time.
The fact that Ntini got as far as he did is probably as emotional as much as his achievements are praiseworthy. Here was a man who was dishing it out in a white dominated sport and made his name in the honours list. Previously, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 would refrain
from fielding non-white players who were reduced to second class citizens before 1994. Periods of isolation were met with incompetence and occasional brilliance on the field. For a nation which is divided on ethnic lines even today, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Ntini-c1865’s was undoubtedly
a unifying force on the cricket field.
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