http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Makhaya-Ntini-c73953 retires from international cricket
South African cricket legend Makhaya Ntini has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.
Ntini started his international career back in 1998 when he became the first black South African to represent his country. He took a combined total of 646 wickets in Test matches and one-day internationals.
"It has been a wonderful journey for me to represent my country. I have so many great memories, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life. My career is by no means over; it just means that internationally
my time has come to hang up my boots. Domestic cricket is thriving at the moment, and I want to be a part of the set up, as a player, for as long as possible," he said.
It's important to reflect on the context of this news for the South African team. Graeme Smith's men are going to be a weaker unit for not having Ntini's experience and quality.
A sad loss
Ntini will be a sad loss from the international game because he was such a popular and effective player. Ntini has a slightly awkward technique, which means he is sometimes more effective than other fast
bowlers on batting friendly pitches.
Ntini always played international cricket with a smile on his face and most cricket pundits agree he'll be missed for this more than anything else. There are very few players who are able to set stunning
examples of sportsmanship in the modern cricket world.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722 and Rusty Theron are all competing for South Africa places in all forms of cricket.
"Nobody ever thought that we as black people would be able to compete, but I've done that. I've conquered and I've been through all the cricketing countries. I left footprints, I did everything that I
needed to do to show that we as black people can manage, we can do everything," he added.
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