DURBAN, 27 December 2004 — Fast bowler Shaun Pollock helped put South Africa in control after the first day of the second Test against England yesterday, taking four for 32 as the visitors slumped to their lowest total in four years.
England were shot out for 139 in their first innings, their lowest since they were dismissed for 134 by West Indies at Lord’s in 2000.
South Africa maintained their early grip by reaching the close on 70 for three in reply.
All-rounder Jacques Kallis was not out 13 after Jacques Rudolph, on 32, was caught by Graham Thorpe at short leg off the last ball of the day bowled by paceman Stephen Harmison.
However the tourists were dismissed 13 balls after tea with fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn taking three for 41 and two for 26 respectively. Ntini made the initial breakthrough in the 10th over when wicketkeeper A B de Villiers clung on to a thick inside edge that flew rapidly from the bat of Marcus Trescothick after the England opener had scored 18.
Eight overs later England were 32 for two when Mark Butcher dragged a delivery from Steyn, the fastest man in the South Africa attack, on to his stumps and was out for five.
Left-arm spinner Nicky Boje had England captain Michael Vaughan dropped by de Villiers with the third delivery he bowled. Andrew Straussdrove Boje’s next ball uppishly to Ntini at mid-off and was out for 25, including five fours. Former South Africa captain Pollock bowled the second over after lunch, which England reached on 58 for three, and trapped Thorpe lbw for one with his first ball.
In his next over Pollock bowled a short delivery to Andrew Flintoff, who attempted to hook. He spliced a catch to Hashim Amla at backward square leg and was out without scoring.
Five overs later, Vaughan was lbw to Ntini for 18 and England slipped to 93 for seven when Geraint Jones, who hit three fours and a six in his 24, pulled a ball from Ntini to Rudolph at deep midwicket.
