- Makhaya Ntini recalled being singled out as the weakest link after South Africa's first Test against the West Indies in 2005
- The former Proteas fast bowler said teammates and management questioned his place in the squad following a difficult match in Guyana
- Ntini remained in the team for the second Test in Trinidad, where he produced one of the standout bowling performances of his career
Former Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has spoken candidly about the internal criticism he faced during South Africa's 2005 Test series against the West Indies, revealing that certain voices in the camp felt he should be sent home after a difficult first match.
Speaking to Sen Cricket, Ntini described how he became a target for blame following the opening Test in Guyana, where the West Indies posted a commanding 543/5. South Africa managed only 188 runs in their first innings before being asked to follow on, eventually reaching 269 in their second innings to salvage a draw. The Proteas' six-man bowling attack combined for just three wickets across the match.
Ntini Made the Scapegoat Despite Team-Wide Struggles
Despite the collective failure of the entire bowling unit, Ntini said the finger was pointed squarely at him.
"I was called the weakest link. My question was, what do you mean I was the weakest link? It seems like I was the only one who was supposed to bowl here, but you selected six bowlers," he said.
"None of us took more than one wicket, but I was made the weakest link."
Ntini recalled being told directly that he did not belong in the side.
"They said, 'No, no, no, you don't belong here, you need to go home.' Okay, fair enough, I took it, but I didn't go home," he said.
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13-Wicket Haul in Trinidad Silenced the Critics
Rather than being dropped, Ntini was retained for the second Test in Trinidad, a decision that proved decisive. He took 13 wickets in the match, a performance that helped South Africa claim victory and shift the momentum of the series.
"They made a mistake of selecting me for the next game that was played in Trinidad. I picked up 13 wickets in that game," he said with a laugh.
"I was like, what's the story here? Am I still getting sent home?"
When asked whether the display ranks among the finest of his career, Ntini placed it alongside his celebrated performance at Lord's.
"Yes, it was, besides Lord's," he confirmed.
South Africa went on to win the four-Test series 2-0.
Source: Briefly News
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