By Telford Vice
CAPE TOWN, March 3 - Makhaya Ntini became only the
third South African to take 200 wickets in one-day
internationals while leading the home team to a record 196-run
drubbing of world champions Australia on Friday.
The fast bowler picked up six for 22 as Australia, chasing a
victory target of 290, were bowled out for 93, their lowest
one-day score against South Africa.
"I'll never forget today, I took my 200th test wicket here
and now I've taken my 200th one-day wicket at Newlands," Ntini
told reporters after emulating the achievements of Allan Donald
and Shaun Pollock.
Ntini's match figures were also the best by a South African,
surpassing Donald's return of six for 23 against Kenya in
Nairobi in 1996.
The 28-year-old Ntini, who started Friday's match on 196
wickets, quit the tour to Australia earlier this year because of
a leg injury and says he is "still looking forward to getting
back to 100 percent fitness".
After going 2-0 up in the five-match series, South Africa
captain Graeme Smith said he wanted the side to maintain their
good form in the third game in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
"The boys are confident but the feet are still firmly on the
ground," said Smith after the home team eclipsed their previous
best one-day victory over Australia, a 109-run win in
Bloemfontein in 1996-97.
LOVE WINNING
"We know Sunday is important for the series and we want to
go to Port Elizabeth and perform well.
"We love winning and we love success and we are certainly
going to enjoy tonight."
South Africa took control of the day-night match by piling
up a total of 289 for seven, largely thanks to a sixth-wicket
stand of 62 between Justin Kemp (51) and Pollock (38).
All rounder Pollock then conceded only nine runs in seven
overs as Australia struggled with the bat.
The world champions had slumped to seven for four at one
stage.
Adam Gilchrist, leading Australia in the absence of the
injured Ricky Ponting, offered no excuses after his team slumped
to their worst one-day defeat by South Africa.
"Justin and Shaun just took the momentum their way and it
never came back to us," said stand-in skipper Gilchrist.
"Hats off to the way Makhaya and Shaun bowled at the start.
It was a great display of bowling and a bit of poor shot
selection by us at times.
"South Africa outplayed us today."