'Proteas icon' Ntini not planning to retire despite cut from first class Warriors

Former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has said that he has no plans to retire at the moment, despite being notably omitted from the contracted squad of the first class side Chevrolet Warriors for the 2013/14 season.

Ntini, who spent 18 years playing for Border and the Warriors, was not offered a contract for the new season along with fellow senior players Arno Jacobs, Justin Kreusch and Lyall Meyer, Sport24 reports.

However, Ntini, who made his debut for Border in the 1995/96 domestic season and went on to represent South Africa in 101 Tests, refused to consider retirement, saying that he still has many years left for playing and has much left to offer to the game, adding that this is the way of life.

Not disappointed despite his omission from the Warriors, Ntini said that such problems are common in a player's life, adding that it is upto the player whether he gives up or drives on ahead.

Explaining the decision to cut Ntini and other senior players, Warriors chief executive Dave Emslie said that it is necessary to avoid the temptation of playing cricketers too long as then it stunts the growth of the other players, adding that there comes a time in a player's career where he needs to make an important decision in his life.

Stating that the management had engaged Ntini thoroughly before making the decision, Emslie further said that the player has a feel for coaching, bringing young players through, adding that the team management hoped to use him locally and nationally to make sure the Ntini icon and image has a useful life after cricket.

The South African icon played his last first-class match for the Warriors in 2010 but remained a member of the shorter-version squads until last season, the report added.