He Was One Of Those Guys Whom You Just Couldn't Wake Up And Bowl To: Makhaya Ntini Rates The Toughest Batsman
Updated - 20 Jun 2020, 03:32 PM
Former Makhaya Ntini has named the most troublesome batsman he has bowled to in his entire career. In an Instagram session with Pommie Mbangwa, Ntini also opened up to two of the toughest countries to visit, when it comes to playing cricket. Makhaya Ntini retired from international cricket after a T20 match in 2011 against India.
The former Proteas paceman was one of the best and formed one of the most penetrating bowling attacks along with Shaun Pollock. With 390 Test wickets from 101 matches, Ntini sits behind Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock for most wickets for South Africa. The 42-year old’s 265 ODI scalps from 172 fixtures are the fourth-highest for the Proteas.
Meanwhile, Makhaya Ntini believes that facing Australia and India in their backyards have always proved challenging, and bowling to Brian Lara has always been a nightmare. The speedster conceded that to dismiss the Prince of Trinidad a bowler needs to prepare themselves out of their skin. It is safe to say that Lara is arguably the best left-handed batsman till date, having scored over 20000 international runs with a high score of 400* in 131 Tests.
“Facing Australia in Australia and India in India has always been tough. But when it comes to bowling at the toughest batsman, Lara was just too much. He was one of those guys whom you just couldn’t wake up and bowl to. You needed to do your homework 110 per cent.” the 42-year old stated as quoted by Times of India.
I was over the moon, it was that special: Makhaya Ntini
The veteran pace bowler remembered the 2001 Test series against West Indies at the Caribbean when Lara became Ntini’s victim in both the innings. It was the second of the five-match series conducted at Lara’s home ground, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
The 51-year old could manage 12 and 0 in both the innings before gifting his prized wicket to the spearhead. Makhaya Ntini claimed that it was an exceptional feeling to see the back of Lara through him on both occasions. The former Zimbabwe bowling coach claimed three wickets in the match as the tourists won by 69 runs and the series by 2-1.
“My best has to be against West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago at Lara’s home. I took his wicket twice in the same game. I was over the moon…..it was that special.” he added.
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Makhaya Ntini South Africa national cricket team West Indies National Cricket Team
