Tsolekile strikes down "race" comments by Ntini – Cricket News Update
South African wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thami-Tsolekile-c2662 struck down Makhaya Ntini's claims that the former's race is the determinant behind his non-selection in the team despite being nationally contracted earlier this year.
The news came after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
Contrary to the justification by the selectors behind the decision, Ntini said, "Tsolekile would have been playing if he was white."
The 32-year-old Tsolekile however, did not completely agree with Ntini.
"Having played most of my cricket in the township and, with Makhaya, also growing up in the township, obviously he was an icon. What he said was quite disturbing and I wouldn't know why he said that. He was speaking on behalf of himself. The fact is that he is talking from a point [of view] where he wishes to and would love to see more African players playing for the Proteas," he stated.
Retiring in 2010, Ntini was the only black African to play for the side consistently since 1991’s re-admission, and the only one in the history to play all three formats of the game. After him, only http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LL-Tsotsobe-c1842 has been able to make a place in the playing XI.
The 28-year-old de Villiers, the current wicketkeeper, has not been able to put up even a half century to his name since taking over full-time keeping responsibilities in the longest format and has been underfire recently.
With de Villers' performance as a batsman being questioned and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jai-Prakash-Yadav-c65330 Duminy's injury creating a slot, Tsolekile's chances of making a return in the side have become bright.
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