BANGALORE Mar 2: Indian wickets fell like ninepins as South Africa's pace bowlers skittled out the home side for a paltry 158 to lake a commanding position on the first day of the second and final Test here Thursday, reports AFP.

In reply. South Africa were 11 for tnc loss of one wicket, with Gary Kirsten batting on five and night watchman Nicky Boje yet to score.

The pace battery of Allan Donald. Shaun Pollock and Mornanlau Hayward, with their light length and fast, swinging deliveries. tore through the Indian top order in (he first two sessions.

The three quickies got steady support from their medium-pacers. Jacques Kallis and captain Hansie Cronje who claimed a wicket each, while left-arm spinner Boje grabbed two wickets in a miserly 15-over spell (hat cost Just 10 runs.

In another uninspired display of balling by India, who are now in extreme danger of losing their 13-year unbeaten record in a home series, spinner Anil Kumble, batting at number eight, top scored with a gutsy 36 not out.

Cronje's side, oozing confidence after their comfortable win in the first Test in Bombay. crowded the Indians throughout the day. with only two or three fielders protecting the bound-

'India’s batting collapse began with opener Wasim Jaffer, who went lor 13 edging a late outswinger oil Hayward to keeper Mark Boucher.

Saurav Ganguly, who will take over the captaincy after the current series, came in at number three, but after scoring one run off three deliveries was trapped leg before by Pollock.

Opener Rahul Dravid, living up to his nickname of The Wall." ground out 17 runs from 75 balls before he was caught by Boucher shortly before lunch off Cronje.

Resuming alter the break at 59 lor three. India were soon in trouble again, with former skipper Mohammad /V.harud-din -- recalled to the Test side after a seven-month absence --caught at point while trying lo defend a rising delivery from Donald for Just nine runs.

Outgoing Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar had looked dangerous when he came to the creasr stroking a couple of stylish boundaries

Bui ihe muster batsman vas unable to work his usual mi gic. and Harvard dealt the killer blow when he had Tendulkar caught for 21 a. mid-off bv Cronje while attempting a pull shot.

Kallis 1110X1^1 in before tea to claim the wicket of debutant Mohammad Kaif (12) leg before, breaking up a useful 27-run partnership with keeper Nayan Mongia. who was eventually trapped leg before bv Boje for 20.

Boje also sent back Nikhil Chopra who was caught at mid-on by Pollock after a painful 57 minutes at the crease.

Pollock wrapped up the Indian innings when he had Jav-agal Srinath caught by a diving Herschelle Gibbs at cover.

There was some good news for India, when South Africa -needing to survive Just five overs before stumps -- lost opener Gibbs leg before lo Kumble for four