Nitini has transformed South African cricket.

[John]

Makhaya Nitini has now become South Africa's most important crickter since the countries reentry into international cricket.
Okay his achievements don't match Donald, Pollock or Kallis but he is the first black South African crickter to reach international class. He is now our premier fast bowler. The ramifcations are massive as now a larger section of the black population will now look to cricket, and the authorities should grab this oppotunity with both hands to make the most of this and extend the talent pool.

[Vrock]

He certainly is relied upon now to take lots of wickets whilst Pollock is declining, and Ntini is backing that up with a lot of wickets, he's had two five-fers in the game against New Zealand and is averaging 22 in his last 20 tests.

He is certainly improving and one thing to note, is that he is using the crease very well, he changes his angle at which he lands on the crease and this gives him some natural variation.

A good slower ball would be even better in the future!

[oracle]

all SA need's now is for Gibbs ,Smith and Prince to get some runs and they starting to look like a good side.

[greg]

All Ntini needs now is for Steyn to become the opening partner that he is desperate for and South Africa will once more have a pace attack to reckon with.If Pollock becomes the first change workhorse who keeps an end tight then they can use Nel as another attacking pace bowler.South Africa may as well just pick their best bowlers which are the quicks and see where it takes them over the next couple of years.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by John

Makhaya Nitini has now become South Africa's most important crickter

I think it's hard for many people outside South Africa to grasp just how important the race issue is. I got a glimpse when I toured there in 1996, a very interesting time, as there were massive socail and legal changes afoot with regard to employment and education concerning black people. A whole generation of people have grown up with their status enshrined in law, only able to access certain benefits of society, only able to go to certain places. It was really striking, going to a beach that had formerly been split into white and black areas, the white with its pristine beach huts, the black with nothing. Just visually, the impact on black people must have been incredibly strong.

I think it's important that Ntini continues to be a role model for young black cricketers in South Africa. The only way South Africa will have a truly mixed cricket system is if there is equality starting from the bottom, and gradually moving upwards. The quota systemis an artificial measure, and hopefully it will be unnecessary in 10 years time to even have to suggest that black players need extra help getting to the top, because the players will be coming through by then.

It's also important that the non-black players are seen to recognise and respect Ntini's talent and his importance to the team. The social climate in South Africa is still far from perfect, and many black people will still be wary of their white compatriots. If white players are openly accepting of black players, it will give more encouragement to young black players to play the game.

Even in 1996, after the end of apartheid, one of the South African students told us that cricket was 'a white man's game'. Hopefully these kind of comments will soon be gone for good.

[John]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Even in 1996, after the end of apartheid, one of the South African students told us that cricket was 'a white man's game'. Hopefully these kind of comments will soon be gone for good.

I heard this from a South African a couple of years ago and Rugby is apparently a "white man's game." Well Makhaya has helped put payed to that.
The fact is Makhaya has broken through and is a Test class bowler. As you say he is now a role model. Once upon time SA were picking form the white population ~ 5% of the population. Now SA cricket can extend that and Makhaya has given that process a boost.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by John

As you say he is now a role model. Once upon time SA were picking form the white population ~ 5% of the population. Now SA cricket can extend that and Makhaya has given that process a boost.

And sport is a way that young black South Africans can improve their chances in life. Socially, most black are still in a position of little power, with neither the economic nor the educational means to raise their status. Ntini has created a better life for himself by becomeing a top class cricketer. Hopefully many more black youngsters can gain a footing in mainstream South African through sport.