The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : New Zealand batsmen falter

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Saturday, May 06, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

New Zealand batsmen falter

Ntini breathes fire, takes 14th five-wicket haul of his career

— Photo: AP

HOLDING CENTRESTAGE AGAIN: Makhaya Ntini was in top form as he, along with Dale Steyn, broke the back of the New Zealand batting.

JOHANNESBURG: Makhaya Ntini ripped through the New Zealand batting as South Africa grabbed a commanding position on the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

Fast bowler Ntini took five for 35 as New Zealand was bowled out for 119 after being sent in to bat. Then captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla hit half-centuries as South Africa reached 133 for four at the close, losing two wickets in fading light shortly before the close.

Smith pressed home his team's advantage and ended the longest streak of failures in his Test career as he hammered 63 off 64 balls, sharing a second wicket of 98 with Amla.

Smith had gone eight Tests and 15 innings since his previous half-century, against the West Indies in Antigua a year and two days ago.

Amla followed up his century in the drawn second Test in Cape Town with an assured 56 before he was out shortly before the close when he sliced a lifting ball from Scott Styris to second slip.

Ntini's five for 35 was his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests and put the Black Caps in serious trouble.

Ntini and Dale Steyn tore through New Zealand's top order to have the tourists at 50 for three at lunch.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle attempted to resurrect the innings, but Astle fell to Steyn for 20 soon after lunch, caught by Jacques Kallis at second slip.

Doubtful decision

Fleming continued his effort with the assistance of Jacob Oram and attacked the bowling, but was given out caught behind for 46 off Ntini when it appeared that the ball had flicked his pad.

Brendon McCullum was no match for Ntini's pace and athleticism as he was out to a leading edge, caught for a duck by the bowler diving full length across the pitch.

Daniel Vettori fell leg-before to Steyn for two, and James Franklin stuck around and put on 36 runs with Oram before Andrew Hall had Franklin caught behind for 19.

Oram resisted a while longer until Shaun Pollock trapped him in front for 18, and Ntini returned to wrap up the innings by having Chris Martin caught by South Africa captain Graeme Smith at first slip.

The quick dismissal of the New Zealanders vindicated Smith's decision to field first after winning the toss.

Earlier, Steyn struck with his second ball when Jamie How edged a simple catch to A.B. de Villiers at third slip before the Black Caps had scored.

In a hostile over, Ntini then bowled the other opener Michael Papps for a duck with the New Zealand score still on naught.

Scott Styris edged a delivery from Ntini and de Villiers took a fine diving catch in front of Kallis at second slip to put New Zealand in deep trouble at three for 2. — AP

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand — 1st innings: M. Papps b Ntini 0, J. How c de Villiers b Steyn 0, S. Fleming c Boucher b Ntini 46, S. Styris c de Villiers b Ntini 0, N. Astle c Kallis b Steyn 20, J. Oram lbw b Pollock 18, B. McCullum c&b Ntini 0, D. Vettori lbw b Steyn 2, J. Franklin c Boucher b Hall 19, K. Mills (not out) 0, C. Martin c Smith b Ntini 1; Extras (lb-9, nb-3, w-1): 13; Total (in 44 overs): 119.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-2, 4-57, 5-78, 6-78, 7-82, 8-118, 9-118.

South Africa bowling: Ntini 16-7-35-5, Steyn 12-3-43-3, Hall 9-2-21-1, Pollock 7-2-11-1.

South Africa — 1st innings: G. Smith c McCullum b Franklin 63, H. Dippenaar b Martin 0, H. Amla c Papps b Styris 56, J. Kallis b Martin 9, A. Prince (batting) 1, A. de Villiers (batting) 1; Extras (nb-3): 3; Total (for 4 wkts) 133.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-99, 3-131, 4-131.

New Zealand bowling: Martin 10-0-28-2, Franklin 8-1-46-1, Oram 4-0-20-0, Mills 7-0-27-0, Astle 2-0-11-0, Styris 2-1-1-1.

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