Makhaya Ntini became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a Test four times as South Africa won its 100th Test victory on Wednesday, defeating New Zealand by 128 runs.
South Africa wrapped up the first of three Tests after just six overs on the fifth day, with Ntini and Dale Steyn taking five wickets to dismiss New Zealand for 120 in pursuit of a 249 victory target.
Ntini's 10 wickets for the match cost him 145 runs, making him the most successful Test bowler at Centurion Park.
PHOTO: AFP
Steyn took his first Test five-wicket haul with 5-47.
"Makhaya has been outstanding all summer," South African captain Graeme Smith said.
"And because the new ball has been key on the pitches we have played on, it was great to have some firepower up front with him and Dale," Smith said.
New Zealand's batsmen in the second innings were unable to display the grit which was them achieve a first innings lead of 51 through a fine century by Jacob Oram.
New Zealand resumed the final day on 98-7, and Daniel Vettori took the attack to the South Africa as he moved from his overnight 18 to 38 before flashing at a Steyn delivery to give Mark Boucher an easy catch.
The second Test starts on April 27 at Cape Town.
BANGLADESH-AUSTRALIA
Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill shared six wickets before lunch yesterday as Australia won the second Test over Bangladesh by an innings and 80 runs to sweep the series 2-0.
Bangladesh, the world's bottom-ranked Test team, was dismissed for 304 runs in its second innings after Australia declared its first innings on 581 for four. The home side scored a paltry 197 runs in its first innings.
The home side added 109 runs for loss of six wickets yesterday after resuming on 195 for four wickets.
On Wednesday Jason Gillespie worked his way to 201 not out to become cricket's highest scoring nightwatchman and Michael Hussey smashed his fourth Test century before Australia declared its first innings at 581 for four wickets, taking a 384-run lead.
The first of the three limited-overs internationals between the two sides will be played in Chittagong on Sunday.
PAKISTAN-INDIA
India beat Pakistan by 51 runs and leveled the two-match DFL Cup limited-overs series at Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
Rahul Dravid elected to take first lease of the pitch for the second time in two days, and spearheaded India with a top score of 92 to set up an imposing 270 target for Pakistan, which was bowled out for 218 in 45.2 overs.
The result helped India remain unbeaten in one-day international series since October.
India posted 269 for five, anchored by a splendid 138-run opening stand between Dravid and Virender Sehwag, who replaced Robin Uthappa in the only change from Tuesday's match, won by Pakistan by six wickets.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Manchester City on Monday completed the signing of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £31 million (US$41.8 million). The 24-year-old Algeria international has signed a five-year contract and will be available for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins later this week. Ait-Nouri is expected to be just one of a trio of new City faces for that tournament with deals close to completion for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and Olympique Lyonnais playmaker Rayan Cherki. After missing out on a major trophy in the recently completed season for the first time since 2016-2017, City are hoping
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in has pleaded with South Korea fans to get behind the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after more boos were aimed at coach Hong Myung-bo despite leading them to qualification. South Korea reached next year’s finals in North America without losing a game, but that does not tell the whole story. The country’s soccer association has been in the firing line, having scrambled about to find a successor after sacking the unpopular Jurgen Klinsmann in February last year. They eventually settled on Hong, the decorated former skipper who had an unsuccessful stint as coach in 2013-2014, during which