National contract for Ngam

Eastern Province fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam, who made his Test debut against New Zealand at the weekend, has been offered a Category C contract with the United Cricket Board.

The contract will run until April 2001, in line with other one-year contracts which will be renegotiated in April 2001.

"Mfuneko has an exciting future in South African cricket," said UCB managing director Ali Bacher. "We want to give him security with a contract, but also to retain some control over his movements over the next couple of years and we do not believe it would be in his interests to play county cricket in the near future. We believe Mfuneko should be nurtured and he will be given a winter training programme developed by Graham Ford and Corrie van Zyl."

The 21 year-old Ngam said he was thrilled with the honour of playing for South Africa.

"I am excited about being given the opportunity to play for my country. Every young cricketer dreams of representing their country and walking on to the field to receive my Test cap was the best moment of my life. I look forward to every chance I get to play for South Africa."