Charges against Ntini pose problems for SA Selectors (16 January 1999)

16 January 1999

Charges against Ntini pose problems for SA Selectors

Bob Dubery

Jan 16th 1999 - South African seam bowler Makhaya Ntini appeared in court in East London on Friday morning. Ntini was charged with the rape of a 21-year old student at Buffalo Park (the home ground of Ntini's provincial side, Border) last December. He was released on bail of R5000 (about $830).

UCB Chief Executive Ali Bacher has expressed support for Ntini, but the charge poses problems for the UCB.

The UCB and especially the national selectors are under pressure to include more block players in the national side. Ntini is one of the country's most prominent and promising black cricketers, and his omission from the Test teams that have played against the West Indies was publicly criticised by Sports Minister Steve Tshwete. His form has not been convincing this season, but he must surely have been one of the players that the UCB would have wanted considered for inclusion in the squads for the limited-over series against the West Indies and the tour to New Zealand.

Now the UCB executive will meet on Sunday to decide if Ntini should be considered for the limited-overs squad which will be announced on Monday. The date on which Ntini's trial is scheduled to begin - March 24th - clashes with the schedule for the tour of New Zealand.

Source :: Bob Dubery