South Africa skittle New Zealand for just 45

CAPE TOWN (AFP) –

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn (left) at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on December 21, 2012. South Africa bowled out New Zealand for just 45 in the first Test, confirming their status as the world’s number one side in a demolition that saw Dale Steyn take his 300th wicket in the five day game.

South African opening bowler Vernon Philander took five wickets in the space of 20 balls as New Zealand crashed to 45 all out on the first morning of the first Test at Newlands on Wednesday.

Philander had figures of five for seven from six overs as New Zealand failed to cope with good fast bowling on a well-grassed pitch after winning the toss. Morne Morkel took three for 14 and Dale Steyn two for 18.

South Africa were three for one at lunch, with Graeme Smith falling leg before wicket to Doug Bracewell’s first ball of the match.

Steyn captured his 300th Test wicket when he bowled Bracewell but his achievement was overshadowed by a sensational performance by Philander.

Philander, who had to pass a fitness test after injuring his left hamstring in a domestic match 13 days ago, struck with his sixth delivery when Martin Guptill edged him to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.

There were two more wickets for Philander in his third over when he bowled New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum with a ball which cut back and had Dean Brownlie caught at first slip by South African captain Graeme Smith.

New Zealand bowler Doug Bracewell (centre) and South Africa batsman Graeme Smith, January 2, 2013 in Cape Town, Newlands. South Africa eventually bowled out the Kiwis for just 45 in the first Test, confirming their status as the world’s number one side.

Kane Williamson made 13 before he was Philander’s fourth victim, trapped leg before wicket. Given out by umpire Rod Tucker, Williamson asked for a television review but replays showed the ball clipping the top of his bails.

Williamson was out to the last ball of Philander’s fourth over and the bowler was on a hat-trick when he had BJ Watling caught behind off the first ball of his fifth over.

James Franklin survived the hat-trick delivery but was caught at first slip by Smith in the next over, bowled by Morne Morkel.

Morkel and Steyn shared the remaining wickets as New Zealand tumbled to their lowest total against South Africa.

South Africa fielded the team that won the third and final Test against Australia in Perth when they confirmed their ranking as the number one team in the world.

Steyn’s achievement in his 61st Test means that only Australia’s Dennis Lillee and Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka have reached the milestone in fewer matches. Lillee managed it in 56 Tests and Muralitharan in 58.

West Indian quick Malcolm Marshall and Richard Hadlee of New Zealand both also reached 300 wickets in 61 matches.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” said South African captain Graeme Smith.

“He’s our go-to guy. He’s got there really quickly. He always seems to make an impact for us. He’s the type of guy as a captain he’s an asset to have. You can throw him the ball and you know he’ll make a play for you somewhere during the Test match.

“When he gets that bit between his teeth you really start to see things happening.”