Tour match
South Africa's second-string attack bounced back from the disappointment of their first-innings display to claim an emphatic 167-run victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol yesterday.
Fighting for places in this week's first Test against England at Edgbaston, the tourists' back-up bowlers failed to impress by allowing Gloucestershire to recover from 122 for two to declare 13 runs adrift on 403 for nine. But this was quickly shrugged off after their county opponents were dismissed for a lowly 134 in just 31.5 overs - and that was thanks to a last wicket stand of 48 by Mike Smith and Jon Lewis - having been set a victory target of 302.
Young fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Mornantau Hayward, in the absence of rested duo Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, claimed three wickets apiece to lift the tourists' spirits ahead of the Birmingham contest.
Hayward grabbed three for 34 in a hostile 11-over spell, claimed a vital catch and played a significant part in running out Martyn Ball while Ntini produced an equally-threatening burst after an ineffective first-innings performance.
Lance Klusener, favourite to claim one of the bowling spots at Edgbaston, began the collapse by dismissing Gregor Macmillan before trapping Dominic Hewson leg before three balls later.
But it was Hayward's introduction which confirmed South Africa's inevitable victory with five wickets falling in as many overs, beginning with the crucial dismissal of opener Tim Hancock for 35. Then Ntini induced captain Mark Alleyne to chop on to his stumps next over.
Rob Cunliffe also had his stumps broken in Hayward's next over while Ball sacrificed his wicket by chancing a 2 against Jonty Rhodes. Reggie Williams was the next to fall, and Matt Windows was caught off a hostile delivery from Ntini, who completed his three-wicket haul by having James Averis caught.
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