Ntini scared of Lara

JOHANNESBURG: Makhaya Ntini says Brian Lara’s wicket is vital if South Africa are to win the First Test against the West Indies.

Ntini took three late wickets to leave the Windies teetering at 31-3, chasing a final-day target of 378 for victory. But Lara, who scored 202 in the first innings, is still there, although he has yet to get off the mark. “We don’t really have a plan to bowl to Lara,” said paceman Ntini. Brian is a world-class batsman and every mistake we make will count against us.”  He added: “We saw Andre Nel intimidate him in the first innings and we need to make sure he isn’t in a comfort zone. “We need to make sure no batsman is welcome out there.”  “We have to keep it simple, keep it in the right areas, make him play and not give him anything to hit.”