Sreesanth bowls India closer to win

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 17 (Reuters) Shanta Sreesanth bowled India closer to winning their first test in South Africa in Johannesburg today.

Fast bowler Sreesanth took three for 47 as South Africa, who need 402 to win, reached stumps on the third day on 163 for five in their second innings.

India scored 249 in their first innings, and Sreesanth took five for 40 in South Africa's reply of 84.

The visitors were dismissed for 236 in their second innings today.

Ashwell Prince stood firm for South Africa with an unbeaten 54.

India resumed their second innings on 146 for five, and South Africa began positively by dismissing Mahendra Dhoni and Anil Kumble in the first five overs of the day's play.

Medium pacer Shaun Pollock had Dhoni caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for 18 with a delivery that swung late before finding the edge, and Kumble miscued a drive off fast bowler Andre Nel to Ashwell Prince in the gully to be dismissed for one.

VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan stopped the slide with a stand of 70 for the eighth wicket that was ended when fast bowler Makhaya Ntini had Laxman well caught low down by Graeme Smith at first slip.

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