The 20-year-old Dale College educated right arm quick is being targeted for the first test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka which starts at Newlands on March 19.
A rangy type of bowler, Ntini could be one of two changes in the South African side to face Arjuna Ranatunga's tourists. The other is the fiery red-head Eastern Province quick, Mornantau Hayward, looked on by many as, eventually Allan Donald's successor, although Shaun Pollock may have thoughts about that claim.
The Sri Lankans, although World Cup (limited-overs) holders the Lankans are regarded as ``softer test targets'' than the more streetwise and much tougher Pakistanis now playing in the deciding test of the three-match series at St George's Park.
Ntini's two for 31 against New Zealand in the WSC series at the Waca in Perth earlier this year catapulted him into the hearts and headlines of many South Africans. Since then he has faded into the wings.
Although his performance for Border against the tourists was far from impressive and Pakistan went on to lose the match on a pitch later condemned by Haroon Rashid, their coach, Ntini is being pushed by pressure groups in the Eastern and Western Cape along with the injury prone Roger Telemachus as well as Herschelle Gibbs for places in the side to play the Sri Lankans.
Hayward's inclusion depends on passing a fitness test after injuring a left ankle.
Trevor Chesterfield Cricket writer Pretoria News tche@ptn.independent.co.za
Source: Trevor Chesterfield
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Date-stamped : 09 Mar1998 - 20:00