April 20, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1427

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CENTURION (South Africa), April 19: Paceman Makhaya Ntini claimed his second consecutive 10-wicket haul as South Africa cruised to a 128-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test on Wednesday.

South Africa won after six overs of the final day's play when New Zealand, who had been chasing 249 to win, were dismissed for 120 in their second innings.

It was the home side's first win in 12 months and followed five defeats in six Tests against Australia, home and away.

Ntini, who took five for 94 in the first innings, claimed 5-51 in the second to finish with match figures of 10-145. Fellow paceman Dale Steyn, in his fourth Test, ended with five for 47, his first five-wicket haul.

Ntini also took 10-178 in the third Test against Australia in Johannesburg earlier this month.“He's bowled with pace and precision,” captain Graeme Smith said. “There's a crack on that wicket that Makhaya worked over the whole day yesterday, he hardly missed it.

“He's a thinking bowler now, and as a captain it's wonderful to be able to throw the ball to him -- something always happens.”

New Zealand resumed on 98 for seven and Ntini had opener Hamish Marshall caught behind by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher in the fifth over of the day.

Marshall had stood firm for 165 minutes for his 25 off 85 balls.

Four balls later Steyn had Daniel Vettori caught behind by Boucher for New Zealand's top score of 38.

Steyn completed his maiden five-wicket haul three balls after that when he sent Chris Martin's middle stump cartwheeling to bowl him for a duck.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said the difficult pitch was a crucial factor in the match.

“The tale of the Test was that it was really about the morning sessions, about the new ball and getting through that tricky period,” Fleming said.

“It was a difficult pitch and you won't get too many batsmen wanting to come back and play on it.

“We capitulated pretty spectacularly, but that was always likely to happen on that sort of wicket.

“It was one of those Tests where you had to grind out the key moments.”

The second Test starts in Cape Town on April 27, and Fleming said New Zealand would ensure they were properly prepared.

“We've got to make sure that we're mentally stronger in Cape Town than we were for this game,” he added.

Coming into this match South Africa had lost five and drawn two of their last seven Tests and Smith was happy to see that run ended with the team's 100th win in 310 matches.

“It was nice to lead the team again, and to be part of the 100th Test win for your country,” the captain said.

“It's a special win and it's great to win a Test match again.

“We really wanted to work hard on our Test cricket and we still have a lot of work to do.

“It was great to start the series with a win, and that it's our 100th makes it even more special.”

Scoreboard

SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings) 276 (H.H. Dippenaar 52; K.D. Mills 4-43, J.E.C. Franklin 4-75).

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings) 327 (J.D.P. Oram 133, D.L. Vettori 81; M. Ntini 5-94).SOUTH AFRICA (2nd Innings) 299 (A.B. de Villiers 97, J.H. Kallis 62).

NEW ZEALAND (2nd Innings, overnight 98-7):

H.J.H. Marshall c Boucher b Ntini 25

P.G. Fulton c Boucher b Ntini 4

K.D. Mills c Dippenaar b Ntini 0

S.P. Fleming c Kallis b Steyn 6

S.B. Styris c Boucher b Steyn 2

N.J. Astle c de Villiers b Ntini 2

J.D.P. Oram b Ntini 2

B.B. McCullum c Dippenaar b Steyn 33

D.L. Vettori c Boucher b Steyn 38

J.E.C. Franklin not out 0

C.S. Martin b Steyn 0

EXTRAS (LB-2, NB-6) 8

TOTAL (all out, 36 overs) 120

FALL OF WKTS: 1-5, 2-5, 3-17, 4-23, 5-26, 6-28, 7-73, 8-119, 9-119.

BOWLING: Ntini 14-3-51-5; Steyn 17-4-47-5 (2nb); Pollock 5-1-20-0 (4nb). RESULT: South Africa won by 128 runs.

UMPIRES: D.J. Harper (Australia) and M.R. Benson (England).

TV UMPIRE: M. Erasmus (South Africa).

MATCH REFEREE: R.S. Madugalle (Sri Lanka).

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Makhaya Ntini.

SECOND TEST: Cape Town, April 27-May 1.

THIRD TEST: Johannesburg, May 5-9 —Reuters