Ntini and Steyn wreck New Zealand order

CENTURION, South Africa, Apr 18 (Reuters) Fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn took six wickets between them to put South Africa on the victory path in the first test against New Zealand in Centurion today.

New Zealand, chasing 249 to win, were reeling on 34 for six in their second innings at lunch on the fourth day.

Opener Hamish Marshall, 12 not out, was standing firm in the wake of fearsome blows to his chest and hands from bouncers delivered by Ntini. Brendon McCullum was five not out.

South Africa resumed their second innings on 280 for nine, and were dismissed for 299 in the eighth over of the day.

Ntini struck twice in three balls in the third over of New Zealand's second innings when he had Peter Fulton caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and Kyle Mills taken at first slip by Boeta Dippenaar.

The visitors slumped to 17 for three in the eighth over when Stephen Fleming, who scored six, edged a delivery from Steyn to Jacques Kallis at second slip.

Two overs later Steyn had Scott Styris caught behind for two, and eight balls after that the Black Caps dwindled to 26 for five when Nathan Astle prodded a delivery from Ntini to AB de Villiers at third slip to be dismissed for two.

In the third over before lunch Jacob Oram, who scored 133 in the first innings, became the first New Zealander not to fall to a catch in the arc behind the wicket when Ntini uprooted his off-stump with a ball that kept low to bowl him for two.

Ntini, who took five for 94 in the first innings, went to lunch with figures of four for 19. Steyn took two for 13.

REUTERS AY RAI1634