Birthday special: Makhaya Ntini – Top 3 spells in international cricket
Makhaya Ntini is the name that initiated a revolution in South African cricket as he was the first black African player to represent the national team when he made his debut for South Africa against New Zealand in 1998. With over 650 wickets in international cricket, the robust fast bowler was the backbone of South Africa’s fast bowling unit for almost a decade. As the South African great celebrates his 46th birthday, we take a look at three of his best bowling performances for the Proteas:
6/66 against New Zealand, 2000
South Africa welcomed New Zealand for the first Test of a three-match series at Bloemfontein. The hosts registered 471 on the board thanks to a magnificent 160 by Jacques Kallis. New Zealand were bowled out for just 229 and were put to bat again as they failed to avoid the follow-on. The second innings saw a soaring Makhaya Ntini rip through the Kiwi lower order as he bagged six wickets in a boisterous fast bowling display. South Africa won the match by five wickets, and Ntini was named the player of the match along with Kallis.
6/22 against Australia, 2006
South Africa squared up against Australia in the second ODI of a five-match series after winning the series opener. The Cape Town crowd saw their team put 289 runs on the board on the back of half-centuries by Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp. Australia’s reply barely started as Ntini dismissed four of their best batters in one of the most hostile fast-bowling spells in ODI cricket, which saw the visitors reeling at 7/4. Australia never recovered from Ntini’s onslaught as they lost the match by a whopping 196 runs. The fast bowler was named the player of the match for his sensational figures of 6/22.
7/37 against West Indies, 2005
Queen’s Park Oval hosted West Indies and South Africa in the second Test of the four-match series after the opening match ended with a draw. West Indies batted first in the game and were restricted to 347 runs thanks to Makhaya Ntini’s impressive 6/95. South African skipper Graeme Smith scored a brilliant ton as South Africa scored 398 runs in their reply. The hosts were in the game until Ntini picked up the ball and decided to go one better than the first innings as he accounted for seven West Indian batters and returned with breathtaking figures of 7/37. The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the match by 8 wickets and Ntini finished with 13 wickets to his name in the match.
