THURSDAY, 8.40AM:
BORDER’S Makhaya Ntini became the first black cricket player to graduate from the United Cricket Board of South Africa development programme to the South African national team. He was on Wednesday named in the squad to tour Australia.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s unbelievable,” said a suprised Ntini. He replaces Boland’s Roger Telemachus, who after a medical examination was ruled out of the tour. Telemachus was initially selected in the squad of 16 that leaves for Ausralia on Thursday evening.
Cricket Board MD Dr Ali Bacher congratulated Ntini for making it to Test level. “Makhaya has come through superbly,” said Bacher. “We have every faith in him and feel he has the potential to play for South Africa at Test level on merit.”
Ntini believes that his call up to the squad was made possible by his hard work at training. “I worked really hard at the Border academy during the winter and I feel I’m bowling better than at any other time,” said Ntini — Border’s fast bowler.
THE SQUAD: Hansie Cronje (captain), Gary Kirsten (vice captain), Adam Bacher, Herschelle Gibbs, Daryll Cullinan, Jacques Kallis, Brian McMillan, Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusner, Dave Richardson, Pat Symcox, Paul Adams, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher.