|
|
Charges against Ntini pose problems for SA Selectors
Bob Dubery
16 January 1999
Jan 16th 1999 - South African seam bowler Makhaya Ntini appeared in
court in East London on Friday morning. Ntini was charged with the
rape of a 21-year old student at Buffalo Park (the home ground of
Ntini's provincial side, Border) last December. He was released on
bail of R5000 (about $830).
UCB Chief Executive Ali Bacher has expressed support for Ntini, but
the charge poses problems for the UCB.
The UCB and especially the national selectors are under pressure to
include more block players in the national side. Ntini is one of the
country's most prominent and promising black cricketers, and his
omission from the Test teams that have played against the West Indies
was publicly criticised by Sports Minister Steve Tshwete. His form has
not been convincing this season, but he must surely have been one of
the players that the UCB would have wanted considered for inclusion in
the squads for the limited-over series against the West Indies and the
tour to New Zealand.
Now the UCB executive will meet on Sunday to decide if Ntini should be
considered for the limited-overs squad which will be announced on
Monday. The date on which Ntini's trial is scheduled to begin - March
24th - clashes with the schedule for the tour of New Zealand.
|
|
|
