Salient points
“Don’t sledge Virat Kohli. Any bowler who sledges him will have to pay the price. If you don’t sledge and just let him be, he could get bored and make a mistake,” says Ntini.
“Anrich Nortje is bowling a tad too short. If he bowls slightly up and whoever is coaching him should tell him that, he can run through any batting line-up in the world.”
“My four semi-finalists are South Africa, India, Australia and Pakistan,” says Ntini.
EXCLUSIVE
Makhaya Ntini is always good to talk to. He speaks his mind and doesn’t believe in being politically correct. And that’s the key to a good interview. When you ask probing questions and want the man in the hot seat to take a stand, the interview can become a drag if he turns diplomatic and politically correct. With Ntini, that’s never the case, as was evident in this episode of the Backstage With Boria World Cup Special.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Boria: When I look at the South African team and the individuals in it, I have a feeling it is a very good side. This is more so because a lot of them play in the IPL regularly and are key pillars of their respective teams. Take David Miller for the Gujarat Titans, Anrich Nortje for the Capitals or Quinton De Kock for LSG, not to mention Kagiso Rabada for Punjab. And yet when it comes to the World Cup, they have always underperformed. How do you look at South Africa’s chances in this World Cup?
Ntini: I actually think South Africa has their best chance in this World Cup to bring the trophy home. It is for the reason you mention that they are going to be the best prepared. Each one of them play the IPL and spend more than two months playing in Indian conditions. These pitches are not alien to them. They know what to expect and how to deal with the conditions on offer. And the team has serious talent. In the fast bowling department, Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi are as good as any line-up in the world and for spin, we have Maharaj and Shamsi. The batting with De Kock, Bavuma and Miller is extremely good, and Bavuma is a very good captain. So when you look at the balance, you know why I am saying South Africa has a very good chance.
Boria: Ahead of every World Cup, we tend to say the same. But much like India, South Africa doesn’t go the distance. They fail in key knockout matches, and for the lack of a better term, are called “chokers”. Why is it that you think they can handle pressure better this time round?
Ntini: Look at the experience in that line-up, and you know why. Not only does this team have exceptional talent, they also have the experience of playing in India and playing under pressure for years. Some of the players I referred to – Rabada, Miller, De Kock, Maharaj and Nortje – all have years of international cricket behind them. So it is not fair to say they will wilt under pressure. I will tell you once again – I think this is South Africa’s best chance to win the World Cup.
Boria: Let me ask you specifically about Nortje. For far too long, he has been in the shadow of Rabada. Do you reckon his experience of the IPL could mean he makes this World Cup his own?
Ntini: Let me make a prediction here. Anrich Nortje could well be the player of the tournament. Not simply the bowler of the tournament, but also the man of the tournament. Just one suggestion for him – he is still bowling a little short. Whoever is his coach needs to tell him to go a little fuller. If he does so, the talent and pace that he has, Anrich can run through any batting line0up during the World Cup. I will not be surprised if he wins South Africa a few matches single-handedly.
Boria: When you mention Anrich, how do you look at Tabraiz Shamsi? In conditions which favour spin, Shamsi could be hugely effective for South Africa.
Ntini: Shamsi needs to handle pressure better. I have seen him lose it a little if the batters manage to put him under pressure by taking the attack to him. That’s when things get away from him a little bit. No question he has the talent. If he manages to get a wicket or two at the start of his spell, he can be hugely dangerous. But that’s the key. He needs to get an early wicket and handle pressure better for South Africa to see the best of Shamsi.
Boria: Your thoughts on Bavuma as captain?
Ntini: He is an excellent captain. Not many give him the credit he deserves. He reads the game well and bats well. Most importantly, he is a good man manager. In South Africa, we know there have been issues with man-management in the past. But with Bavuma, it is one strong flock. That’s what captaincy should be about. Getting the best out of your teammates and getting their respect as leader.
Boria: Now to a very different question – you are in a position of neutrality here. How do you look at India versus Pakistan, a game the entire world is looking to watch at the World Cup?
Ntini: Ah, it is not just the cricket world that is looking at this game. It is the entire sports world that will follow this game. When these two sides play a World Cup match, it is a very different thing. We had seen it last year in Australia in Melbourne. And the game lived up to the billing with Virat Kohli playing one of the best knocks ever. On Indian soil, the intensity will be even more. Every Indian player will know this is one game they can’t lose. Every Pakistani player will know this is one game they need to win, and if they do, they are superheroes back home. So imagine what all is at stake. It will boil down to pressure and who handles pressure better. Shaheen Afridi bowling fast and inswing against Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill could well be the defining moment in the World Cup.
Boria: You mention the Virat Kohli innings in the last World T20 in Australia. The whole world was in awe of that effort. Yet again, Kohli will be the key for India on home soil. And it could well be his last 50-over World Cup. How do you look at Virat Kohli for India?
Ntini: Let me tell you something about Virat Kohli, something I will tell every South African bowler who will bowl to him. Don’t say a word to him when he is batting. I repeat, don’t sledge him by saying anything to him. If you do so, you are actually playing into his hands. He wants the sledge, if you know him. He wants the combat and loves such things. If you do so, you are actually giving in to what he wants and it will only make him that much more determined and he will make you pay. Rather, just keep silent against him. When he sees a bowler not say things, he will get bored. He needs action in the middle to be at his best. When he doesn’t get it, he will find it boring and that’s when he can make a mistake. With players like him, you need to be smart and not do the things that you will do with other batters. So when you bowl to him, try and stay silent and make him feel bored. That’s your best chance of getting him out.
EXCLUSIVE: “He shouldn’t try to be a hero from Day 1, he can get injured”- Makhaya Ntini’s advice for #JaspritBumrah.
Former @ProteasMenCSA pacer shares his insights on India and #SouthAfrica‘s prospects in the #ICCWorldCup2023, how effective will Nortje and Rabada be at the… pic.twitter.com/OLhtQkxeao
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) August 29, 2023
Boria: Three final questions. The first is an obvious one. Your top four for the World Cup?
Ntini: My top four are South Africa – who I think have the best chance to win a World Cup this time round – India, Australia and Pakistan.
Boria: Jasprit Bumrah, Anrich Nortje, Shaheen Afridi or Mitchell Starc?
Ntini: Ha ha ha. I knew you were going to ask this. I will say a fit Jasprit Bumrah and Anrich Nortje. As I said to you, I think Nortje will be the player of the tournament in this World Cup.
Boria: When the T20 World Cup was held in South Africa in February 2023, your women did superbly well. Laura Wolvaardt, for example, was sensational. What does it do for the men? Do they feel inspired by what the women did?
Ntini: That’s a wonderful question. The men are under pressure now, and it will be embarrassing if they don’t do well. Jokes apart, the women have shown the way by making the final. It galvanised the whole country. They have shown the men what can be done, and now the men will have to step up and go one better. They need to win the trophy and bring it home. It is a healthy rivalry between the two teams, men and women, and will only help South African cricket get better.