Makhaya Ntini
- Makhaya Ntini bowling
Makhaya Ntini was born on the 6th of July 1977 in the Eastern Cape. He grew up in a small village called Mdingi. He is a South African cricketer who is known as the first black player to play for the South African team.
Ntini is a product of the United Cricket Board's development program. He was discovered by Raymond Booi, a cricket development officer. Booi noticed his talent while he was travelling around the Eastern Cape area introducing cricket to rural children. He saw Ntini's talent and he gave him a pair of boots and took him to Dale College in King William's Town.
Ntini was only 14 years old when he was taken to Dale College which is one of the country's best regarded cricketing nurseries. It was very difficult for Makhaya to communicate as he couldn't speak English at the time. Makhaya's talent became noticeable when he represented Border Schools at the Nuffield Week for under-19s. His break-through came when he was picked to play for under-19s in the National team. In 1995, he played against England and bowled Alec Stewart out. This helped him build his reputation both nationally and internationally.
He found himself popular amongst national selectors as a talented black player. When Roger Telemachus failed a fitness test, Makhaya played in his position and he found himself touring Australia. He was also part of the winning South African team in the Commonwealth Games. He achieved much in a short time.
In 1999, Makhaya's career looked like it was coming to an end. He was accused of rape. He insisted that he was innocent and the United Cricket Board supported him. Unfortunately for him, the courts found him guilty and he received a 6 year jail sentence. The United Cricket Board could not pay his legal fees but did arrange funding from overseas for the appeal. He was acquitted on appeal, and faced the task of rebuilding his career and reputation.
In 2000, he was chosen to play for the South African National team at a Sharjah tournament. He surprised and impressed the observers with greater control than before. He went on to became the first South African to take ten wickets at Lord's in 2003 before destroying the West Indies in Trinidad in 2005 with 13 for 132. Those were the best-ever match figures by a South African bowler
Makhaya still plays for South Africa's National cricket team. He has established an academy at the Willows Cricket Club in Mdantsane, East London with the assistance of Old Mutual South Africa. His vision is to see more black players amongst the best players in the world. He always gives his time to train the players of the Cricket club when he is on leave. He wants to ensure that he uses his skills to leave a legacy to South African children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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