Ntini stalls England

The South African fast-bowler Makhaya Ntini took two wickets before lunch to peg England back in the fourth Test.

LONDON // The South African fast-bowler Makhaya Ntini took two wickets before lunch today to peg England back on 116 for three on the second day of the fourth test at The Oval. England lost both Ian Bell for 22 and Alastair Cook for 39 before the break, with the hosts trailing South Africa's first innings of 194 by 78 runs. Kevin Pietersen was unbeaten on 42 with Paul Collingwood on one. Resuming on their overnight 49-1, Bell survived just three balls before he pushed at Makhaya Ntini to be caught at slip by Graeme Smith for 24. Cook batted solidly and had added 60 with Pietersen to take the score to 111-2 when he wafted outside off stump to be caught behind. It was Ntini's third wicket of the match after removing Andrew Strauss on Thursday. Pietersen, in his first match as England captain after Michael Vaughan stood down from the position following the defeat at Edgbaston on Saturday, looked completely unaffected by the new responsibility. Having faced just a handful of balls, he whipped a full-length Ntini delivery from outside off stump through midwicket. It set the tone for the rest of his innings in the morning session, as he played a string of powerful drives through the leg-side. England are currently 200 for three. South Africa holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.