'It depends on how you work towards your goal'
From a raw and unpolished diamond, Makhaya Ntini has worked hard to glitter above the best in his trade - pace bowling
31-Dec-2003
From a raw and unpolished diamond, Makhaya Ntini has worked hard to glitter above the best in his trade - pace bowling. In 2002 he was South Africa's highest wicket-taker, and in 2003, he topped that with a tally of 59 - the most this year. Here, Ntini talks to Nagraj Gollapudi.
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Makhaya Ntini: leading wicket-taker this year © Getty Images |
You are the highest wicket-taker in 2003 - what were the things you worked on?
It's all about concentration and knowing your role in the team. From there on it depends on how you work towards your goal.
It's all about concentration and knowing your role in the team. From there on it depends on how you work towards your goal.
Overall this year, South African cricket went through a transition, so was it difficult to concentrate?
No, it was not difficult. During such times, you need to be committed to your goals and see that the standard of your game is evolving in sync with the rest of the players across the world. For that, it depends on how you process your thoughts and work towards improving yourself, which in turn will benefit the team.
No, it was not difficult. During such times, you need to be committed to your goals and see that the standard of your game is evolving in sync with the rest of the players across the world. For that, it depends on how you process your thoughts and work towards improving yourself, which in turn will benefit the team.
You have assumed the mantle of the strike bowler from Shaun Pollock. How big is the responsibility?
Well, each one of us has the same responsibility - to take wickets. Yes, as a strike bowler the team always looks to me to take wickets.
Well, each one of us has the same responsibility - to take wickets. Yes, as a strike bowler the team always looks to me to take wickets.
Malcolm Marshall was one of the coaches during your formative years. What were the things you admired about him?
His action always caught my eye. The way he charged down to the bowling crease, the variety of his bowling. Despite of his short height he used to deliver effective bouncers which kept the batsmen guessing. He proved to me that you don't need to be tall in order to become an effective fast bowler. When he was the coaching Natal, I used to observe him from a distance. I used to picture myself in his shoes, and copy everything he was doing. He was one person I truly admired, and I committed myself to be in his shoes one day.
His action always caught my eye. The way he charged down to the bowling crease, the variety of his bowling. Despite of his short height he used to deliver effective bouncers which kept the batsmen guessing. He proved to me that you don't need to be tall in order to become an effective fast bowler. When he was the coaching Natal, I used to observe him from a distance. I used to picture myself in his shoes, and copy everything he was doing. He was one person I truly admired, and I committed myself to be in his shoes one day.
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Ntini - 'Malcolm Marshall always caught my eye' © Getty Images |
Fast bowlers these days are prone to injuries. With the amount of workload, does that bother you?
I prepare my body in such a way to prevent injuries. Also the physical trainer is there to check and monitor the player's fitness, so it helps.
I prepare my body in such a way to prevent injuries. Also the physical trainer is there to check and monitor the player's fitness, so it helps.
So what's your way of staying fit?
Running outdoors is my way of physical training, as staying inside the gym doesn't provide me with the momentum which is required when you are bowling for long periods on the field. So I prefer running where I can analyse myself and think about what I am going to do next. That makes me much more comfortable.
Running outdoors is my way of physical training, as staying inside the gym doesn't provide me with the momentum which is required when you are bowling for long periods on the field. So I prefer running where I can analyse myself and think about what I am going to do next. That makes me much more comfortable.
Your bowling style, delivering from wide of the crease, has troubled established batters. At the same time it has been a case of debate.
Yes, it is an advantage to get the ball across the left-handers, but at the same time, the spot I deliver it from, and the angle, doesn't allow the ball to get into the left-hander or curve it away from the right-hander. That can only happen if I get closer to the stumps, and I am working on it.
Yes, it is an advantage to get the ball across the left-handers, but at the same time, the spot I deliver it from, and the angle, doesn't allow the ball to get into the left-hander or curve it away from the right-hander. That can only happen if I get closer to the stumps, and I am working on it.
Does speed matter?
No, speed is irrelevant. What I need to do is I need to attack the batsman more without allowing him to be comfortable against me. For that to happen I need use varied balls that will test him.
No, speed is irrelevant. What I need to do is I need to attack the batsman more without allowing him to be comfortable against me. For that to happen I need use varied balls that will test him.