Ntini awarded benefit year

Makhaya Ntini has been awarded a benefit by Border for his ten years' service to the game. Ntini, 28, is currently second in the Test bowling rankings and is also the highest ranked Test paceman for this season.

He first played cricket aged 15 and went on to make his international debut for South Africa against Australia five years later, in 1997. A statement from Border said: "[He] has an incredibly well-developed sense of humour, an unlimited enthusiasm for life and shows a strong sense of caring for his peers and team members.

Themba Lupuwana, the Border chairman, added: "His rise to the South African team is a testamentn to hard work, commitment, confidence and self-belief."