/ 8 November 2007

Bond takes four wickets against SA

Shane Bond celebrated his first Test against South Africa by taking four wickets on the opening day of the first Castle Lager Test between South Africa and New Zealand, as South Africa were bundled out for 226, an hour-and-a-quarter after tea. New Zealand had 41 for two when stumps were drawn.

They trail South Africa by 185 runs.

On a cool, overcast day, Graeme Smith won a toss he would probably have preferred to lose, and opted to bat first. He lasted just eight balls before he was bowled by Chris Martin for one.

Bond grabbed his first wicket in the ninth over, when Hashim Amla, who had hit him for an unexpected six in his previous over, was caught behind by Brendon McCullum for 12.

Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis went some way towards consolidating the South African innings, putting on 53 runs for the third wicket, before Kallis, who had survived two dropped catches, got an inside edge to an Iain O’Brien delivery and was caught by McCullum for 33 off the first ball after lunch.

Ashwell Prince faced 15 balls before he was caught in the slips by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming off Bond for one.

Gibbs and AB de Villiers put on 49 runs for the fifth wicket before Gibbs, who had registered his 26th Test 50, was caught at first slip by Fleming off Martin for 63.

The last five wickets fell for just 85 runs. Jacob Oram took a low catch to dismiss De Villiers for 33, giving Bond his third wicket.

Andre Nel had a brief but merry spell at the crease, smashing three fours off Bond before he was caught behind for 15 to give Bond his fourth. Daniel Vettori trapped Paul Harris lbw for three and Dale Steyn hit a four and a six before being caught by McCullum off Martin for 13, and South Africa were all out.

Makhaya Ntini made an important breakthrough in the sixth over, when Michael Papps was caught at third slip by De Villiers for two, and Steyn struck another blow shortly before stumps when Craig Cumming was given out leg before for 12.

At close of play, Fleming was not out on 21 off 15 balls and night watchman Bond had yet to score. — Sapa