Latest News – Sanjay's Cricket World

One of South Africa’s most popular sportsmen, Makhaya Ntini announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday at a press conference in Johannesburg.

He remains available for his franchise, the Chevrolet Warriors.

Ntini will will be given a farewell during the Twenty20 international between South Africa and India at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on January 9, when he will make his final appearance for South Africa.

In his 101 test appearances, Ntini captured 390 wickets, making him the second-highest test wicket taker behind Shaun Pollock (and 11th highest in the world).

His 266 wickets from his 173 ODI’s makes him the third highest South African wicket taken in limited overs cricket.

He holds the South African records for:

The best SA bowling figures in Test cricket – 13/132 against the West Indies at Trinidad in 2005
Best SA bowling in ODI cricket – 6/23 against Australia at Sahara Park Newlands in 2006
The most 10-wicket hauls in Tests – 4 (shared with Dale Steyn).

He is also the only South African bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test match at the home of Cricket, the famous Lord’s ground in London.

“It has been a wonderful journey for me to represent my country. I have so many great memories, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life. My career is by no means over; it just means that internationally my time has come to hang up my boots. Domestic cricket is thriving at the moment, and I want to be a part of the set up, as a player, for as long as possible” said Ntini.

“It is also my dream to give back. The Makhaya Ntini Cricket Academy in Mdantsane is gathering momentum, and I am keen to put more energy into the project, and let it be a vehicle for change. I am currently in discussions with CSA about getting involved with their TOMORROW campaign, and give back to its cricket development programmes, which are the same structures I came through.”

Cricket South Africa (CSA) will honour Ntini at the Pro20 match v India for the Krish Mackerdhuj Trophy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in January both for his contribution to cricket and for his inspiration to current and future generations that has made him the peoples’ champion.

“Makhaya is the most popular sportsman in the country, and he deserves to bow out of international cricket in fine style. I cannot think of a better send-off, with over 50 000 people expected at Moses Mabhida stadium for this commemorative match. A new era in the Makhaya Ntini legacy is about to be born, and CSA is excited to work with Makhaya, in helping shape tomorrow.” said CSA CEO Gerald Majola.

Makhaya Ntini International Career statistics

South African Cricketer Herschelle Gibbs is no stranger to controversy, and with the release of his autobiography “To the Point” he has created headlines yet again!

The book has angered his South African teammates as Gibbs talks about smoking marijuana in the Caribbean, alcohol abuse and sexcapades within the ranks of the Proteas.

Gibbs has talked about the marijuana incident in the Caribbean and it is disappointing that he still harbours resentment towards Daryll Cullinan towards the incident. Gibbs was in the wrong, and like most of his  career, he refuses to accept responsibility that he was wrong.

The Proteas are ambassadors for their country, and anyone with an attitude like Gibbs’ does not deserve that honour, which is a privilege not a right.

Daryll Cullinan has responded to the criticism Gibbs directed at him, whilst Smith is disappointed in Gibbs‘ allegations and the picture he paints of the Proteas.

On Wednesday Proteas Cricket Captain Graeme Smith announced he is standing down as Captain of the Proteas in the Pro20 format with immediate effect, and will give up the ODI Captaincy at the end of the 2011 ICC World Cup in India.

Smith will remain as Captain of the South African Test Squad indefinitely, and still remains available for South Africa in all formats of the game.

Smith has had enough time away for the game to re-think his position and the direction of both the Proteas and himself.

“The off season has provided a great opportunity for me to reflect on our teams’ successful journey and set some challenging personal goals for the future” said Smith at the press conference.

“I am going into my ninth season of international cricket – eight of which have been as captain. It is my intention to play for another five or six years and I know in my heart that I can only do that if I give up some of my current responsibilities” continued Smith.

Smith stated that there are fellow players in the side who can make the step up to take over the leadership and groom a successor.

“I feel that making the announcement now will provide the time and development necessary to ensure a smooth transition. I remain passionate about the captaincy of the Proteas and after the World Cup I will continue to lead the Test team with pride and will continue to be available for selection in all formats of the game” said Smith.

The decision may also have been based on the fact that Smith is soon to launch his own leadership foundation.

“The purpose of the Graeme Smith Foundation is to share the skills which I have acquired through my cricket career to develop leadership programmes for young South Africans in order for them to have a wider impact in their communities” said Smith.

Is Smith acting in the best interests of the side or himself?

The fact he did not consult coach Corrie van Zyl prior to making his announcement makes me suspect the latter.

Smith said, “I only let some of my family and friends know at 05:00 (Wednesday morning) so that there weren’t any rumours. I also sent each of my teammates an SMS and I’m sure Corrie also got one.”

I believe as National Captain you owe your coach more than just an SMS. For van Zyl to hear the news in a press conference is disappointing behaviour from Smith.

The question now is how will Smith perform as a batter, and is he good enough to maintain his position?

After massive early success in his test career, with numerous double hundreds, I believe Smith has been found wanting. As a batter he has made little contribution, when it matters most outside of a handful of games in recent times.

The role in the “438 ODI,” the hundred to win the series against England and the strong start against Australia in 2008/9 stand out because the rest of his innings have been ordinary.

The opposition have worked out the limitations in Smith’s technique, and his vulnerability around the off stump line.

Can Smith reproduce the form of his early career?

Captaincy may relieve Smith of much of his responsibility, but he is clearly not in the same shape as he was when he was younger.

True leaders also thrive on Captaincy. It’s tough to now use the Captaincy as a burden given that Smith created too much power for a Captain, when a strong coaching authority such as Ray Jennings would’ve been able to help the side more. Smith wanted to do things his way, and in my opinion the side has under-performed during his reign.

I look forward to a more aggressive, forward-thinking captain in the limited over formats of the game, and hopefully it’ll bring South Africa success in an ICC tournament!

South African cricket experienced a massive change in personnel following the resignation of coach Mickey Arthur and the axing of the selection panel.

Reading between the lines, one can see that coach Mickey Arthur was effectively axed due to poor results, lack of transformation and the imposition of conditions he was was not prepared to work under.

In the end his resignation allowed him to save face, and he was hurt to have to hear rumours of a rift with captain Graeme Smith, even though the two had differences of opinions during the English series.

Selection convenor Mike Proctor and his panel of Craig Matthews, Mustapha Khan and Winkie Ximaya have all been axed.

Until permanent appointments are made, Corrie van Zyl will coach the side and has roped in former Proteas captain Kepler Wessels. Wessels is reasonably well respected, but I’ve found in his role as a commentator for Supersport, he doesn’t add a lot of value or insight.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola will be the convenor of the selection panel.

The reasons for axing the former panel and streamlining the new panel is the belief that the old system is outdated. Greater powers will be given to captain Graeme Smith.

The removal of Mickey Arthur is two-fold. Transformation was not going ahead at an acceptable pace, and new ideas and better results are needed. The board were disappointed at the decline in performances after achieving both the number 1 test and one day rankings.

Is this a good move in the long-term?

I’ve never been a huge supporter of Arthur, but recently he appeared to be more positive in his approach to the game. Was it a bad move to get rid of a coach who was learning valuable lessons?

Or is Cricket South Africa showing it is not prepared to settle for second best and will not tolerate poor performances? It could be a great move.

Only time will tell. Who will coach the side in the future? Gary Kirsten and Jeremy Snape have been two names mentioned. Kirsten would be a great choice but is currently coaching India. As an honurable man I can’t see him walking away from a commitment he has made.

Snape has been the team’s psychologist and to my knowledge lacks coaching experience at the top level.

These are interesting times in South African cricket…let’s hope things are handled in a better manner and the Proteas can move to the next level.

South African cricket has been rocked with the resignation of coach Mickey Arthur.

Whilst this has been brewing for some time, the relationship between Arthur and captain Graeme Smith has deteriorated to the point where Arthur no longer wants to be involved as coach. the two were said to have disagreed markedly during the recent English series in South Africa with differences in opinion in terms of team tactics.

It could not have come at a more inappropriate time, with South Africa due to leave on a tour for India very shortly.

“The timing is very unfortunate with an exciting two-Test tour of India coming up but the international cricket calendar these days means that there is never a good time. But all good things must come to an end and now is the time for someone else to take over” said Arthur.

In the meantime former South African fast bowler Corrie van Zyl will take over as caretaker coach for the two-Test, three-ODI tour of India next month.

It is also alleged that bowling coach Vincent Barnes has also been sacked.

Officials in South Africa have been unavailable for comment, but it is expected Arthur will make public the details for his resignation on Wednesday.

Former South African cricket captain and current commentator Kepler Wessels had this to say “There has been some speculation in the last couple of weeks, so it is not a total surprise. I still think it is sad, he did a good job for South Africa.”

The names of Kepler Wessels and current Proteas team psychologist Jeremy Snape have been linked as longer term coaching options for the Proteas.

Whilst I am not sad to see Arthur go, he did achieve some great things such as test series wins in England and Australia. However under his reign the Proteas were often found short when it mattered.

More worringly in my opinion is the fact that Smith seems to be running the show. He’s a good captain, but every side needs a coach, and someone needs to run the show. A player who gets affected by the emotion on the field is not ideal to be in total command.

Interesting times await South African cricket, and unfortunately it doesn’t all look positive!

Iconic Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has denied rumours he has signed to play county cricket in England.

It had been rumoured that Ntini had signed a pre-contract as a Kolpak player for English County Middlesex.

However a spokesperson for Ntini told Sapa on Monday that the veteran paceman was not contemplating a Kolpak contract because he believed his Test career was not over.

Ntini said “I believe I have more Test cricket ahead of me. I am going to concentrate on getting back into the Test team.”

It is great to still see plenty of fight left in this great warrior. As a South African icon and hero to millions, South Africans of all ages will be inspired by Ntini regaining his test spot.

The last time Ntini was dropped from the South African teamwas for the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne in 2001/2002. He came back even stronger from that experience, so I hope the same can happen again!

Makhaya Ntini has been rumoured to have signed a contract with Middlesex for the 2010 season.

The veteran fast bowler was dropped for the third test against England at Newlands, and sources have revealed he has already signed a pre-contract with Middlesex as a Kolpak player.

Ntini looks set to retire from all forms of International cricket immediately after the Newlands test. However he is still contracted to South African cricket until the end of April.

After 101 test matches and 390 test match wickets, Ntini recently expressed his desire to move past Shaun Pollock’s South African record of 421. It showed his desire to continue playing for South Africa, but loss of form and being dropped may signal he is no longer in favour with the South African selectors and his time may have run  out.

Ntini can be a potential match winner, he is the only South African to have taken 10 wickets in an innings on 4 occasions, and the only South African to have managed it against England (1 of only 10 in the history of the game). However in  recent times, he has struggled to take more than 2-3 wickets.

Whilst I agree he doesn’t deserve to make the starting lineup, in my view neither does Morne Morkel. Ntini was probably persisted with past his use by date, he is after all an iconic figure in South Africa, and the milestone of 100 tests probably played a big role. However the South African selectors now need to be braver.

There has been criticism that Friedel de Wet is too similar to Dale Steyn and the 2 can’t play together. It didn’t stop the West Indies playing 4 pacemen in the 80′s. If you can bowl a good line and length attacking the top of off stump, it doesn’t matter what type of bowler you are, the wickets will come. I disagree that Steyn and de Wet shouldn’t play together, what we need are bowlers who bowl tight, apply pressure and the rewards will follow.

I’d drop Morne Morkel and bring in Wayne Parnell and/or Lonwabo Tsotsobe who attack the stumps and are likely to capture more wickets than a Morkel or Ntini who allow the batsmen to leave far too many deliveries. This would allow Dale Steyn to operate with far less pressure and recapture the form that made him the world’s best fast bowler in 2008.

If this is the end of Makhaya, I wish him all the best. He has been a legend in South Africa and no doubt he will be home before too long to continue the work of his academy and help the future generation of South African fast bowlers.

The Proteas are now officially the best side in the world!

South Africa is now rated the top ranked side in both the Test ratings, and the One day ratings. For the first time since 2003 when the test rankings were formulated, Australia are disposed of their top position. They slip down as far as 4th position!

The Proteas have been ranked number 1 in the One day format of the game since February, when they comprehensively thrashed Australia in their one day series. But the Test series was closely fought, and Australia’s test series win kept them in top position and deservedly so. However South Africa have been the most consistent side since in the last 2-3 years, and Australia’s Ashes defeat to England has seen them slip from grace quite dramatically. They are now ranked behind South Africa, India and Sri Lanka. They’ll have a lot of work to do to get back into number 1 position!

To coincide with the domination of South Africa, the Springboks are also ranked number 1 in the world by the IRB world rankings. How good is that? I think South Africa are the first side to hold number 1 spot in both cricket and rugby.

It’s been a long time coming, but finally the Proteas are top. I believe they’ve got the players, the coaches and the desire to stay at the top, which is always harder than getting there.

May the good times keep on coming!

Graeme Smith has released his new book “A Captain’s diary” 

As the youngest ever Captain of the South African cricket side, Graeme Smith has grown into our most successful captain ever.

Whilst the road hasn’t always been smooth, the hardships and challenges have shaped Graeme into a tremendous leader and captain for his country. For the first time ever we have an exclusive account from Graeme during one of the most successful periods for the South African cricket side, including a historic tour against England, and Demolishing the Australians in their own back yard.

A Captain’s Diary records an extraordinary 18-month journey, from Karachi to Newlands via Lord’s, Leeds, Melbourne and Sydney. There are the dramatic moments on the field, behind the scenes revelations, and a recap of some of the lighter moments.

I can’t wait to read it and gain an insight into the man that is Graeme Smith, leader of the South African cricket side.