Steyn wrecks NZ

Johannesburg, November 12:

Fast bowler Dale Steyn celebrated his first Test match ten-wicket haul as South Africa crushed New Zealand by 358 runs on Sunday.

Steyn had figures of 10-93 as South Africa bowled out Kiswis for 172 in their second innings, winning with a day and a half to spare.

Captain Graeme Smith praised Steyn for a “superb effort” but said Steyn’s man of the match performance had been aided by the efforts of fellow pace bowlers Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel and Jacques Kallis.

Steyn, bowling at high pace and exploiting a pitch of variable bounce, took 5-59 after taking 5-34 in the first innings.

Captain Daniel Vettori made a fighting unbeaten 46 for New Zealand but his team were outclassed after making a good start to the match when they bowled out South Africa for 226 on the first day. The Black Caps also suffered from injuries and illness, including an abdominal strain which brought an early end to the tour for strike bowler Shane Bond, who did not bat in the second innings. It was announced that Kyle Mills would replace Bond in time for the second and final Test.

Jacob Oram is in doubt for Centurion after straining a hamstring while bowling on Saturday. He batted with a runner on Sunday in making second highest score of 40.

It took only nine balls for South Africa to make the first breakthrough of the day after New Zealand resumed on 57-3. Steyn dismissed Scott Styris (16) when the batsman gloved a catch down to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Brendon McCullum was peppered with short deliveries before being caught at gully off Steyn for 26. After Michael Papps failed, Oram and Vettori put on 45 for the seventh wicket but the end came rapidly after Oram was caught at mid-on off Paul Harris soon after lunch.

It was the biggest win by a margin of runs by South Africa. The margin was two runs bigger than when they beat England at Lord’s in 1994.