Makhaya Ntini struck two early blows on the second morning of the third Castle Lager Test at the Wanderers on Saturday, and Australia went to lunch on 47 for one, in reply to South Africa’s first-innings total of 303.
Australian opener Justin Langer was felled by a rocket from Ntini’s first delivery, and had to be assisted off. He ducked into the ball, which hit him behind the ear, and he was clearly very groggy as he walked off, after receiving treatment on the field.
Ntini struck again with the first ball of his second over, when Matthew Hayden was caught by Herschelle Gibbs for three, and Australia were 12 for one. But Damien Martyn showed the South African paceman little respect as he launched a delivery through midwicket into the stands for the first six of the match, and the Australians raced to 47 off the first six overs.
Earlier, South Africa were all out for 303. Ashwell Prince fell seven runs short of what would have been his fourth century, when he was caught by Langer off Brett Lee for 93. Nicky Boje tried valiantly to put as many runs on the board as possible, but South Africa’s innings came to an end when he was caught by Hayden off Kasprowicz for 43.
Lee and Stuart Clark were the most successful Australian bowlers, with three wickets each, while Michael Kasprowicz took two. Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds picked up a wicket each.
At lunch, Ricky Ponting was not out on 10 and Martyn had 21. — Sapa