SPORTS

Steyn spearheads South Africa's victory

November 22, 2008 18:55 IST

Fast bowler Dale Steyn led South Africa to victory by an innings and 129 runs on the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The visitors, following on, resumed on 67 for three and South Africa needed only 27.3 overs to bowl them out for 159.

Steyn took five for 63 in 18 overs, Makhaya Ntini claimed two for 19 and Jacques Kallis picked up two for 17.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said he was delighted with the performances of Ntini, who was dropped for the limited-overs series, and Steyn, who has not played a Test since July.

"Makhaya's action looked really good, his energy is back and there was always something happening with the ball - lots of pace and bounce," Smith told reporters.

"It was Dale's first Test in a long time so the time in his legs will be crucial. He had some good spells and will only get stronger and stronger."

Skipper Mohammad Ashraful and Mehrab Hossain survived for the first half-hour before the batting collapsed.

Three wickets fell for one run in 11 deliveries as Ashraful (13) fended Ntini's first ball from around the wicket to gully.

Shakib Al Hasan tried to leave a ball from the 25-year-old Steyn but edged a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for a duck before Ashwell Prince ran out Mushfiqur Rahim for another duck.

Steyn produced his best delivery of the innings, a classic away-swinger, to have Naeem Islam caught behind for three.

Shahadat Hossain and Mehrab rallied briefly to put on 44 in 48 balls for the ninth wicket before Steyn bowled Shahadat for 16 to record his ninth five-wicket haul in 26 tests.

Mehrab's knock was the only bright spot for Bangladesh as he finished 43 not out.

"We knew the pitch would be bouncy and we would be up against very good fast bowlers, but in this particular test we did not apply ourselves," said Ashraful.

The second and final Test in Centurion starts on Wednesday.

Source: REUTERS
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