Smith and Ntini spoil new skipper’s first day in office

Smith’s first run of the day made him the fastest South African in history to 1,000 test runs, reaching the mark in his 17th innings. He had made 277 and 85 at Edgbaston.

Ntini probably edged the honours, though, with five wickets for the third time in his Test career.

He accounted for Marcus Trescothick (6), new England captain Michael Vaughan (33), Alec Stewart (7) and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff (11) before completing his collection by bowling Steve Harmison. At least four of England’s batsmen contributed to their dismissals with rash shots. Trescothick was the first wicket of the day, leaving his angled bat dangling outside off and edging the ball back into his stumps with the score on 11. Butcher drove Ntini for three consecutive boundaries before he was squared up by Shaun Pollock on the back foot and edged to Hall at third slip to make it 35 for two. Vaughan and Hussain, however, looked in little danger as they took the score to 73 in the run-up to lunch only for three wickets to fall for 12 runs in 10 deliveries.

Hussain, driving loosely at Hall’s bustling medium-paced seamers, was bowled for 14, Anthony McGrath chipped Hall off a leading edge to wide mid-off and Vaughan, rashly hooking against Ntini, skied to fine leg for 33 to leave England on 85 for five.

The procession continued after the break, wicketkeeper Alec Stewart pulling lamely to short square leg, Ashley Giles edging to slip and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff hooking Ntini straight to deep square leg for 11.

When Ntini bowled Harmison for a duck England were on 118 for nine.

Darren Gough, however, who top-scored with 34, and James Anderson (21 not out) put on 55 for the last wicket for England to save some face.

Gough, playing cautiously, accumulated quietly before hitting two sixes in four balls, one to midwicket and one straight, off Paul Adams’s wrist spin.

The excellent if unlucky Pollock, though, returned to remove him and finish with two for 28 off 14.4 overs.