Fast bowler Thando Ntini has joined the University of Cape Town Cricket Club.
Ntini is contracted by Western Province – and featured in South Africa Under-19’s tour of England last year. He is the son of former Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.
“Yes, I’m joining the University of Cape Town Cricket Club,” Ntini told Club Cricket SA.
His arrival is a boost for a club pursuing promotion from the Western Province Cricket Association first division A to the premier league.
UCT Cricket Club currently occupy fifth position in the 2018-19 first division A’s 12-team standings, after six unbeaten matches – five with bonus points.
They are scheduled to play Green Point Cricket Club and St Augustine Cricket Club on 20 and 26 January, respectively, according to WebSports.
The 18-year-old Ntini will afford the club an alternative to tail-ender and bowler Siyabulela Ntuntwana, who has batted down the order – and at times deployed as a late as fourth- or fifth-change in the attack.
Meanwhile, University of the Western Cape seamer Mihlali Mpongwana and spinner Luke Philander have been named in Western Province’s squad for this week’s CSA 3-Day Cup fixture against KwaZulu-Natal in Chatsworth.
Mpongwana and Philander have been key members of the University of the Western Cape’s 2018-19 Western Province Cricket Association premier league campaign.
Neither have been capped at first-class level yet. Philander, though, made two List A and three T20 appearances for Western Province in 2017.
United Cricket Club batsman Qaasim Adams was not considered for selection due to a suspension, while Durbanville Cricket Club all-rounder George Linde and South Africa Under-19 batsman Jonathan Bird have been included.