Sunday, 19 April 2020 marks exactly 14 years since fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn shared 10 fourth-innings wickets to consign New Zealand to a 128-run defeat in the Test series opener in Centurion.

The five-wicket haul was a first for Steyn in Test cricket, while Ntini completed a fourth and final match haul of 10. Collectively, they took 17 for 287 this fixture.

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The tourists lapsed to 28 for six on day four, but first-change bowler Shaun Pollock didn’t continue the success managed by Steyn and Ntini. The pair returned on day five, though, ending the lower-order resistance of wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum and all-rounder Daniel Vettori.

‘I had to set up a platform so Dale could follow. I discussed it with him when he had already taken three wickets and I had taken four. I told him we both had a chance to get five wickets,’ said Ntini after the match.

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‘Dale is a high-risk bowler. There are going to be days when he goes for runs but he does create opportunities and that’s what we are looking for. His role is to run in and be quick. I wouldn’t like to see him out of the team,’ added captain Graeme Smith.

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