Ntini bowls SA to easy win

The South African bowlers ended New Zealand’s hopes of victory by wrapping up a 128-run win on the fifth morning of the First Test at Centurion. After destroying New Zealand’s hopes in taking the first six wickets for 32 on a rain-shortened fourth day, it was inevitable that the last three wickets would fall on the fifth day and South Africa would take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Daniel Vettori provided an entertaining start to the day, moving through to 38 with an aggressive approach against the excellent South African bowling on a tough pitch. At the other end Hamish Marshall bravely batted on, despite a broken rib from a blow yesterday, reaching 25 before edging a ball from Makhaya Ntini through to Mark Boucher to give Ntini five for the innings and ten for the match. Vettori followed next over, his exciting knock ending in the same way but off the bowling of Dale Steyn, and it took just four balls for the same bowler to end the innings of Chris Martin and of New Zealand.

South Africa gained a much-needed confidence boost from this win after a tough series against Australia, and head to Cape Town with a spring in their step, while New Zealand will be wondering what might have been after two and a half days of being even with the South Africans, if not dominating the match.

The second test begins on April 27.

South Africa 276
Boeta Dippenaar 52, Graeme Smith 45
Kyle Mills 4-43, James Franklin 4-75

New Zealand 327
Jacob Oram 133, Daniel Vettori 81
Makhaya Ntini 5-94, Shaun Pollock 2-45

South Africa 299
AB de Villiers 97, Jacques Kallis 62
Daniel Vettori 2-42, Jacob Oram 2-44

New Zealand 120
Daniel Vettori 38, Brendon McCullum 33
Dale Steyn 5-47, Makhaya Ntini 5-51

South Africa won by 128 runs.

Cricket Web Player of the Match

Makhaya Ntini – 5-94 & 5-51 (10-145)