Thando Ntini: Being first choice across all formats is the goal

Fast bowler Thando Ntini is eager to become a relatively permanent fixture in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal XI – across all formats – after leaving the Titans.

Ntini spent a season with the Cape Cobras and another with the Titans before being contracted by KwaZulu-Natal Coastal.

“Coming to Durban is returning to familiar conditions for me. I’m a coastal boy, so I didn’t really enjoy the highveld too much, but I learnt a lot in my time there and I think I can bring a lot of those lessons with me to Durban,” said Ntini.

“I wanted to be in an environment where I am going to play a lot more than I did last season. My move here was about more playing time and more time on the field and I know that I need to capitalise on the next few years in my career.

“Being first choice across all formats is the goal and hopefully I can settle in well with the guys now during pre-season. This is so that when it is time for the team to be picked for that first game I am on the team sheet.”

The 20-year-old seamer is looking forward to adding value to a KwaZulu-Natal Coastal bowling attack that will occasionally be without Proteas spinners Prenenlan Subrayen and Keshav Maharaj.

“It’s important that the seamers take responsibility with Keshav with the Proteas most of the time and Prenenlan also breaking into the national set-up,” he added.

“That gives us seamers the opportunity to stake a claim and make an impact.”