Starc rips through SA

The spin of Nathan Lyon and the reverse swing of Mitchell Starc sent South Africa crashing on the second day of the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead on Friday.

South Africa were bowled out for 162 shortly before the close, giving Australia a lead of 189 runs on the first innings.

Lyon started the slide for the hosts and finished with three for 50 before the tall left-armer Starc gave a magnificent display of fast, reverse swing bowling to take five for 34.

AB de Villiers played almost a lone hand for South Africa, making 71 not out.

Mitchell Marsh struck 96 for Australia. Largely through his efforts, as well as an aggressive innings of 35 by Starc, Australia's last three wickets added 100 runs to take them to a total of 351.

On a pitch which has proved even slower than predicted by both captains, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took five for 123 for South Africa.

Spin continued to be effective when South Africa batted. Off-spinner Lyon was brought on in the eighth over and took two wickets in his first over.

SCORES IN BRIEF

AUSTRALIA: First innings 351 (Warner 51, Smith 56, S Marsh 40, M Marsh 96, Paine 25, Starc 35; Philander 3-59, Maharaj 5-123)

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 162 (Markram 32, De Villiers 71 not out, De Kock 20; Starc 5-34, Lyon 3-50)