The budding coaching career of former Protea great Makhaya Ntini received a major boost when he was named as interim coach of the Zimbabwe national team on Tuesday.
Ntini, aged 38, has been assigned as head coach in an acting capacity after the termination of Dav Whatmore’s contract, and will be in charge for the team’s five-match one-day series against India.
It is a fantastic achievement for the former Border superstar, who was only named bowling coach of the Zimbabwe team in January this year.
“This is a very positive thing for his career as a budding coach.
“We wish him well and knowing him and how resilient he is, I think he is going to be a great success,” said Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani. Also part of the shake-up, Zimbabwe’s captain, Hamilton Masikadza, has been relieved of his duties across all three formats, with his deputy, Graeme Cremer, stepping into the breach, also in the interim.
Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusner has also been signed up by Zimbabwe as their batting coach for the next two years, and he will look to assist Ntini during his stint.
“I think it is an affirmation of the kind of work that CSA is doing in this country in terms of developing not only players but coaches as well in that they are both now coaching internationally,” said Nenzani.
“Well done to them both and we look forward to following their progress.”
The Mdingi Express, as Ntini is affectionately known, has continually been breaking new ground throughout his cricketing career, starting when he became the country’s first black African international cricketer.
He became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a Test match at Lord’s in England back in 2003 and in 2008, he claimed 13/132 in a Test match against the West Indies, which remains the best figures ever by a South African in that format of the game to this day.
His illustrious international career then finally came to an end in 2010, after playing 101 Test matches, 173 One-Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 matches for South Africa.
“Makhaya has consistently broken new ground over his career and proves that with hard work anything is possible,” said Nenzani.
“Many young South Africans look up to him as a hero and his continued success will inspire and motivate the youth to try match or even better his achievements.”
Ntini’s playing career finally came to an end in 2012, when he played in his last few games for the Warriors.
Since then he kept himself involved in cricket as an ambassador for tournaments, commentating and starting up an academy in East London.
“For me it is an absolute pleasure and I am extremely proud of what he has done so far for cricket in our country,” said Ntini’s long-term mentor, Raymond Booi.
Booi, who is currently the coaching manager at Border cricket, discovered Ntini as a young boy playing cricket in the village of Mdingi, which is just outside King William’s Town.
“I’ve watched him grow his entire career and there has never been an obstacle he has been unable to overcome and that will help him as he now finds his way as a coach.”
Ntini will face his baptism of fire when Zimbabwe take on India in three one-dayers and three T20s, starting with the first ODI next week Saturday.
Zim, here I come
Ntini, aged 38, has been assigned as head coach in an acting capacity after the termination of Dav Whatmore’s contract, and will be in charge for the team’s five-match one-day series against India.
It is a fantastic achievement for the former Border superstar, who was only named bowling coach of the Zimbabwe team in January this year.
“This is a very positive thing for his career as a budding coach.
“We wish him well and knowing him and how resilient he is, I think he is going to be a great success,” said Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani. Also part of the shake-up, Zimbabwe’s captain, Hamilton Masikadza, has been relieved of his duties across all three formats, with his deputy, Graeme Cremer, stepping into the breach, also in the interim.
Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusner has also been signed up by Zimbabwe as their batting coach for the next two years, and he will look to assist Ntini during his stint.
“I think it is an affirmation of the kind of work that CSA is doing in this country in terms of developing not only players but coaches as well in that they are both now coaching internationally,” said Nenzani.
“Well done to them both and we look forward to following their progress.”
The Mdingi Express, as Ntini is affectionately known, has continually been breaking new ground throughout his cricketing career, starting when he became the country’s first black African international cricketer.
He became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a Test match at Lord’s in England back in 2003 and in 2008, he claimed 13/132 in a Test match against the West Indies, which remains the best figures ever by a South African in that format of the game to this day.
His illustrious international career then finally came to an end in 2010, after playing 101 Test matches, 173 One-Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 matches for South Africa.
“Makhaya has consistently broken new ground over his career and proves that with hard work anything is possible,” said Nenzani.
“Many young South Africans look up to him as a hero and his continued success will inspire and motivate the youth to try match or even better his achievements.”
Ntini’s playing career finally came to an end in 2012, when he played in his last few games for the Warriors.
Since then he kept himself involved in cricket as an ambassador for tournaments, commentating and starting up an academy in East London.
“For me it is an absolute pleasure and I am extremely proud of what he has done so far for cricket in our country,” said Ntini’s long-term mentor, Raymond Booi.
Booi, who is currently the coaching manager at Border cricket, discovered Ntini as a young boy playing cricket in the village of Mdingi, which is just outside King William’s Town.
“I’ve watched him grow his entire career and there has never been an obstacle he has been unable to overcome and that will help him as he now finds his way as a coach.”
Ntini will face his baptism of fire when Zimbabwe take on India in three one-dayers and three T20s, starting with the first ODI next week Saturday.
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