South African paceman Makhaya Ntini will kick off his benefit year by leading an Invitational XI against the West Indies today. - Dellmar photo

EAST LONDON, South Africa (CMC):

EXCITEMENT IS mounting as the West Indies prepare for their first match on their tour of South Africa against a Makhaya Ntini Invitational XI today at Buffalo Park.

The West Indies will have the luxury of using 12 of the 14 players available for the 25-over-a-side match which kicks off Ntini's benefit year hosted by the Border Cricket Club.

"Makhaya's a great guy and brings a lot of energy and life to the game," West Indies captain Chris Gayle said. "Off the field, he's a superb person and a great ambassador for cricket and for his country.

"From the first time we met, I realised he's a special person and he deserves all that he has achieved.

"We got along really well when we played together in the World XI in Australia a few seasons back. This West Indies team is delighted to be part of his Benefit Year."

Gayle still recovering

The West Indies are not expected to name the playing group until just before the match, but Gayle is the only player not available for selection.

The left-handed opener is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the second one-day international (ODI) against Zimbabwe 12 days ago at Harare.

The Windies had another three-hour training session yesterday under new coach John Dyson, who expressed his delight with what he saw.

"I'm very happy with the practice session," he said. "Both the batters and bowlers were impressive, I thought."

Looking to the future

Dyson admitted, however, he still needed to get to know the players better before he could tap into the strengths.

"I feel the Windies teams have been underachieving, but it's no good looking back at the last 10 years," he said.

"You can't change what's happened. We have to look to the future now. I think this West Indies team is full of raw, natural talent and they will do well on this tour.

"More often than not some individuals contribute, but there is a need for more consistency."

Dwayne Bravo will most likely skipper the West Indies, after they arrived in South Africa, fresh from completing a successful ODI series against Zimbabwe, winning 3-1.

The West Indies batting will heavily depend on the success of long-standing left-hander and former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Runako Morton.

They both excelled against Zimbabwe, where Morton had scores of 54, 79, 38 and 79 in successive innings in the four ODIs, while Chanderpaul made a century in the first game which was won by Zimbabwe.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor is also currently in top form with the ball. He captured 11 wickets in the series against the Zimbabweans - including an ODI career best five wickets for 48 runs - and earned the Man-of-the-Series award.

A large crowd is expected at the ground for the first event of the benefit year for the man voted South Africa's most lovable sports personality.

Ntini was delighted that the West Indies were the side that would help launch his benefit year.

"I have so many friends in the West Indies and I'm thrilled that the first event of my benefit year will have the West Indies players here," he said.

"Vasbert Drakes (the former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder) is a great friend of mine, and even though he's not here, several guys from West Indies are here and this means a lot to me.

"We are hoping for a big crowd to come out and celebrate and have a good time. It's not a huge match. We just want to have some enjoyment and celebrate the spirit of cricket."

The Ntini XI will include a number of world-class players who played alongside the fast bowler in his Test career.

Topping the lists are Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher, while Jonty Rhodes and Pieter Strydom have come out of retirement for the special occasion.

The West Indies' first international match will be on Sunday, when they face South Africa in a Twenty20 International at Sahara Oval St. George's in Port Elizabeth.

Squads

INVITATIONAL XI: Makhaya Ntini (captain), Paul Adams, Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Tyron Henderson, Jacques Kallis, Mfuneko Ngam, Yanda Pangabantu, Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, Pieter Strydom; reserve - Neville Botha.

WEST INDIES (from): Chris Gayle (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga, Rawl Lewis, Runako Morton, Brenton Parchment, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.