Ntini in racism row

2005-12-30 21:31

Christo Buchner

Melbourne - The racism to which the South African cricket players have been subjected by spectators seems to have blown over to the Australian camp as well.

Makhaya Ntini, who batted with a runner on Friday, was greeted by Shane Warne with what Ntini construed as a racist remark. There was reference to "Blackman" who apparently is a local TV character.

This "Blackman" apparently is always injured and there is always something wrong with him.

As the South Africans are not familiar with this character Ntini assumed Warne was referring to the colour of his skin.

The Australian players tried to placate Ntini after the match by explaining what Warne had referred to the TV character, who, like Ntini, is also injured.

Ntini's tour is over and he is returning to South Africa for treatment to torn knee ligaments.

Since the Ntini incident a cloak of secrecy has enveloped the topic. It has been reported that the two captains, Graeme Smith and Ricky Ponting had a rather heated discussion about the incident, but at the media conference after the Test neither would comment on their "discussion".

When asked about it Smith said the media should ask Ponting. He had nothing to say on the subject, but stressed that there was no bad blood between the two teams.

Aussies should have known better

Ponting reiterated what Smith had said and added that the air had been cleared and that there was no ill-feeling.

Proteas media liaison officer Moabi Litheko denied that Ntini had been involved in any incident, but judging by what has happened earlier on this tour, not everything said by the team management can be believed.

It was learned that Ntini apparently had said: "Excuse me, what did you say there" when he heard Warne referring to "Blackman".

It seems as if the South African camp has accepted the Australian explanation, but that does not alter the fact that the Aussies should have known better - especially after the racist remarks from spectators in Perth and in Melbourne.

To cap it all, the third Test is being played in Sydney where racial tensions have been reported.

Some members of the SA squad have indicated that they are not comfortable with the prospect of exploring Sydney on foot.

Litheko said the players wanted to distance themselves from racial issues and are in Australia to concentrate on cricket.

- Beeld