Against All Odds - The Makhaya Ntini Story
Growing up as a child you might have been told magical fairytales in which people come from humble beginnings to be able to reach greatness. Take Cinderella for example, who could only afford rags and against all odds she was able to win the heart of the prince. Another such story but doesn't involve magical fairy godmothers, is a story close to us in the cricketing world, and that is the story of Makhaya Ntini.
Born in 1977, in what was known at the time as the 'Transkei' which was a time where black people had little rights, who would have thought that young Makhaya Ntini who was working as a cattle herder who grew up bowling in broken shoes would go onto become one of the most famous South African cricketers and an idol for many youngsters around the world. When Ntini was running in full of energy as a thirteen year old with broken shoes, the odds were stacked against him even reaching state/provincial level, as cricket was one of the white-dominated sports at the time.
Makhaya Ntini would then go onto be discovered by the UCB's cricket development programme, not knowing one word of english at the time and was taken to one of South Africa's finest cricket nurseries, Dale College.
Makhaya Ntini celebrates one of his 390 memorable wickets in Tests.
On the 16th of January, 1998, Ntini made his debut against New Zeland taking two wickets and become the first black South African to play for his country, aspiring millions of youngsters that they too could be like him. However his career has been sparked with controversy. Their were, as usual mutterings in his career that for him being black was the reason for his selection but he fought off those criticisms by offering top quality performances everytime he played. But in 1999 he was charged with rape, and at first was convicted. He was then acquitted and was able to continue his career, and was able to come back from this to have an amazing career, taking wicket after wicket. During the time between the 2003 WC and the 2007 WC, Ntini managed an astonishing 215 wickets in just 46 tests.
Makhaya is today an inspiration to children all over the world for enthusiasm for cricket. You are always able to hear him encouraging his side, even when he is on the furthest boundary. He may not have explosive space, the ability to swing the ball all that much and yet he has been able to become one of the best bowlers in the past decade. He had his won technique of bowling wide of the crease then surprising the batsman with a ball which straightens.
He is a true Cinderella story coming from not being able to afford shoes to a name known to many around the world, coming against all odds. Though we haven't been able to witness Makaya Ntini who charges into bowl with the energy of a ten year old for a few months now, who never fails to give a smile on the cricket pitch his story is a true fairytale and he will remain an inspiration to many not only in South Africa but around the world for many years to come.
Born in 1977, in what was known at the time as the 'Transkei' which was a time where black people had little rights, who would have thought that young Makhaya Ntini who was working as a cattle herder who grew up bowling in broken shoes would go onto become one of the most famous South African cricketers and an idol for many youngsters around the world. When Ntini was running in full of energy as a thirteen year old with broken shoes, the odds were stacked against him even reaching state/provincial level, as cricket was one of the white-dominated sports at the time.
Makhaya Ntini would then go onto be discovered by the UCB's cricket development programme, not knowing one word of english at the time and was taken to one of South Africa's finest cricket nurseries, Dale College.
Makhaya Ntini celebrates one of his 390 memorable wickets in Tests.
On the 16th of January, 1998, Ntini made his debut against New Zeland taking two wickets and become the first black South African to play for his country, aspiring millions of youngsters that they too could be like him. However his career has been sparked with controversy. Their were, as usual mutterings in his career that for him being black was the reason for his selection but he fought off those criticisms by offering top quality performances everytime he played. But in 1999 he was charged with rape, and at first was convicted. He was then acquitted and was able to continue his career, and was able to come back from this to have an amazing career, taking wicket after wicket. During the time between the 2003 WC and the 2007 WC, Ntini managed an astonishing 215 wickets in just 46 tests.
Makhaya is today an inspiration to children all over the world for enthusiasm for cricket. You are always able to hear him encouraging his side, even when he is on the furthest boundary. He may not have explosive space, the ability to swing the ball all that much and yet he has been able to become one of the best bowlers in the past decade. He had his won technique of bowling wide of the crease then surprising the batsman with a ball which straightens.
He is a true Cinderella story coming from not being able to afford shoes to a name known to many around the world, coming against all odds. Though we haven't been able to witness Makaya Ntini who charges into bowl with the energy of a ten year old for a few months now, who never fails to give a smile on the cricket pitch his story is a true fairytale and he will remain an inspiration to many not only in South Africa but around the world for many years to come.
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