Online Reporter
TEMBA Bavuma has sent out a special and heartfelt message to legend Makhaya Ntini for his endless support through the trials and tribulations the South African cricket captain went through.
This is at the back of their World Test Championship triumph at Lord’s two weeks ago, when they beat nemesis Australia by five wickets to end a 27-year ICC trophy drought.
Building up to the final, Ntini was among a handful of legends, who never shied away from his support for the Proteas, and that Bavuma was the right man to lead them to glory.
Speaking to Sunday World recently after their WTC triumph, where the Proteas beat Australia, Bavuma expressed his gratitude for the support the South African cricket icon showed to him throughout his career.
“My big brother, Makhaya Ntini, is a legend. This journey all started with him; he is the one who paved the way for us (black cricketers), so we appreciate him because he inspired us in so many ways,” Bavuma said with a smile.
“He showed us that it is possible . . . not just to represent the country, but to be in the top echelons within the international scale.
“I remember when we got back during the trophy tour, he was with us, and he was not shy to show his emotions, so I am just grateful that he has always supported me from day one.
“And this — we do it for them as well, the guys who came before us, who paved the way and gave us these kinds of opportunities.”
Ntini, now 47 years of age, was a special pace bowler and quite famous for his peculiar bowling action and brisk pace during his playing days.
The legendary bowler played 283 matches for South Africa and took a total of 669 wickets at an average of 27.29. In the red ball format, Ntini took 390 wickets from 101 Test matches.
His journey with the Proteas started in 1998, and he retired in 2011 in a T201 match against India.
Ntini continues to be the benchmark and pinnacle of black cricketers in South Africa, as he was the first player of colour to don the Proteas jersey. — Sunday World/Sports Reporter
derick.khumalo