Sidelined for the past six months, pacer Makhaya Ntini is upset with the South African selection committee but the panel’s convener Andrew Hudson feels the veteran cannot expect “special treatment” on the basis of his past performance.
Hudson said Ntini, who has played 101 Tests for South Africa, would remain a contender for a place in the side as long as he proves his worth.
“There are also other players who have performed well and we have not spoken to them either,” Hudson told the Afrikaans daily Beeld .
“Whether you have played a lot or not at all for South Africa, we are going to look at everyone’s performance,” he added.
Hudson said Ntini has done well with English county Kent and should continue the form.
“(Ntini) will definitely be considered when we select the groups for the series against Zimbabwe (in September) and Pakistan (in November),” Hudson said.
Earlier, Ntini had complained of unfair treatment from the selectors.
“I think it is unfair to drop someone for failing in one Test match,” Ntini said on Kent’s website.
Ntini last turned out for the Proteas in December in Durban.
“I’m slightly disappointed because I’ve never been told by Cricket South Africa that they don’t need me — yet they didn’t come to watch me with Kent. I would like them to tell me what I should be working on to help me get back in.”
But Hudson said the lack of communication with Ntini did not mean that a decision had been taken about his future with the South African side.
