Ntini to miss SA opening match

Johannesburg, Mar 15 (UNI) South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini will miss his side's opening Group A game against the Netherlands at St Kitts tomorrow.

Ntini rejoined the squad yesterday after staying home to attend the birth of his second child and captain Graeme Smith wants his key bowler to find his feet first before plunging to competitive cricket.

''We want to put forward our first eleven, but we need to give Makhaya some time to find his feet after the trip,'' Smith said.

''We don't want him worrying about his wife and new daughter -- we wanted his mind fully focused,'' the Protea captain was quoted as saying by Daily News.

UNI