Ntini, the cow herder turned spearhead of Proteas attack

Now aged 30, Ntini is currently ranked the No. 2 bowler in the world and has an iconic status among South Africa8217;s majority black population which had never previously shown much interest in the game.

Ntini said he yearned to see more black players follow in his footsteps, recalled the highs and lows of his career and spoke of his ambition to break the record for wickets for his country before retiring.

8220;I believe if it rains today, tomorrow the sun will come out and shine again. That8217;s what drives me.8221;

Ntini came to the attention of scouts as a 15-year-old when his curiosity at the large number of cars parked outside the ground led him to watch and then join in a game of cricket near his home in the rural Eastern Cape province.

8220;It was by a sheer chance that I became a cricketer, a blessing in disguise,8221; he said.

8220;I was with the boys herding cattle and horses when we saw many cars, we went to see what was happening. We were given balls to throw and I threw better and faster than the guys that were there and were already selected.8221;

Soon young Makhaya was being packed off to Dale College cricket school, making his first class debut in 1995 for the provincial Border team where he soon attracted interest from national selectors.