5 Best Bowling Spells Of Makhaya Ntini

Makhaya Ntini, born on July 6, 1977, former South African pace bowler, an all-time legend and the first black person from the nation to ever play international cricket. With a front-on, open-chested action, delivering the ball from wide of the crease and drifting to his left at the very last moment, Makhaya Ntini was one of the most unorthodox yet successful bowlers of his era. He was neither ‘that’ quick nor had a long run up, but with his variety in length and perfect short pitched deliveries were enough to demolish every batsman’s mindset.

Makhaya Ntini was only the third South African bowler to claim 300+ Test wickets after Shaun Pollock and Alan Donald. During in career, Makhaya Ntini took 390 wickets while playing 101 Test matches which are definitely some great stats for a fast bowler. Adding his 266 ODI wickets to the picture, Ntini certainly becomes one of the most dominating spearheads of his era and his story from, being a cattle-herder to a record-breaking bowler still inspires many.

When we talk about his contribution to South African cricket, Makhaya Ntini laid a barrier-breaking path for many South Africans as he opened the doors as well as inspired many young, black South African cricketers to feature in the sport and represent their country.

Makhaya Ntini played his last international match, a T20I, against India in the year 2011 before hanging his boots while his 13 for 132 against Windies at Port of Spain still is an inspiration to many young talents out there.

On that note, we would like to mention the 5 Best Bowling Spells Of Makhaya Ntini that made him one of the greatest blowers to ever feature in the game of Cricket.

1. 13 For 132 vs West Indies At Port Of Spain, 2005

South Africa was touring West Indies in 2005, the first Test finished in a draw and the second match started with an unpredictable track. But once the Test began Makhaya Ntini was all over the Proteas batsmen with a consistent line and length as well as short deliveries. Ntini took 6 wickets in first innings and West Indies finished with a total of 347 runs, Brian Lara being the only stand out performer with 196 runs. But fans also got to witness a hard-fought battle between Ntini and Lara.

South Africa managed to take a marginal lead of 50 runs before the hosts came out to bat again, and Makhaya Ntini, by all means, was ruthless with the ball. He claimed 7 wickets for just 37 runs while sending the whole lower middle order as well as the tailenders back to the pavilion to let South Africa chase an easy target of 144 runs.

2. 6 For 22 vs Australia At Cape Town in 2006

The 5-match ODI series was one of the most iconic battles between the two teams. South Africa was leading with 1-0 and the team was looking to carry the momentum in the second ODI. Batting first, South Africa was at 289/7 by the end of fifty overs, thanks to the exceptional hitting of Herschelle Gibbs, Justin Kemp, and Mark Boucher. Makhaya and Andre Nel, the most dominating duo of the era, were breathing fire with their deliveries and Australia was down to 7 runs with the loss of 4 wickets in the initial overs. With exceptional figures of 6 for 22, Makhaya Ntini led the decimation of the hosts, bowling them out for just 93 runs.

( Video Source: R Sullivan )

3. 10 For 220 Runs Against England at Lord’s in 2003

The venue has given world cricket some of the most memorable moments and players have seen their career skyrocketing after a defining performance at the Lord’s. However, by that time Makhaya Ntini has already established himself and was in his prime. South Africa was touring England for a 5-Test series and in the second Test match at Lord’s Ntini gave one of his finest performances. The likes of Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Flintoff and Alec Stewart ended up kneeling in front of Makhaya Ntini’s wrath in the first innings. As England was bowled out for 173 runs, Ntini had already clinched 5 wickets while conceding 75 runs.

South Africa batted with intent and smashing 682 runs which gave them a massive lead. England was already in pressure and Makhaya Ntini gracefully accepted the opportunity and took 5 more wickets while conceding 145 runs as Lord’s had good batting conditions to offer. South Africa won the match by an innings and 92 runs.

4. 5 For 21 vs Pakistan At Mohali in 2006

The Champions Trophy was on the line and during a group game against Pakistan on a slow Mohali pitch, South Africa managed to register a below par score of 213. The first innings score was enough to tell that it is going to be a bowler’s game and Pakistan knew it was going to be a hard-fought battle when both of its openers’’ were sent back to the pavilion with just 10 runs on the scoreboard. Makhaya Ntini further added to their horrors when he demolished a batting lineup that had the likes of Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik. Pakistan never managed to recover from the initial losses and Ntini’s fierce helped him claim 5 wickets while conceding just 21 runs as the hosts were bowled out for 89 runs in 25 overs.

5. 5 For 31 vs New Zealand At Melbourne in 2002

Australia, the host of VB series, was out of the tournament as New Zealand and South Africa made to the finals. In the first game of the 3-match finals, Makhaya Ntini, who was struggling a little with his form, came out of nowhere and demolished the Kiwis with his spell of 10-31-5 and the opposition kneeled down against his pace as well as bouncers. McMillan and Fleming somehow managed to register a 109-run partnership for a taking their team to a total of 190 runs which the Proteas chased with ease.

These are the 5 Best Bowling Spells Of Makhaya Ntini that has made him one of the all-time legendary bowlers. However, he too was part of a controversy here he was accused of rape in 1999 but the next year, he acquitted of all charges and after that ‘Makhaya Ntini Never Looked Back’.