Australia v South Africa: Pace attack and Steve Smith put tourists in charge

Steve Smith now has 223 catches in Test cricket, three more than Joe Root in second place for non-wicketkeepers

Viewed by many in England as there for the taking in last winter's Ashes despite a 4-1 win, they are also labelled too old by many observers at home.

But while their struggling batting line-up was bailed out by Matt Renshaw across the first two days of the first Test in Durban, they took control over South Africa on day three in an all-too familiar way.

Cummins took three wickets, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon two apiece, in doing so brushing off any doubts about their effectiveness at the start of a run of Tests against the world Test champions, in-form New Zealand, India and England.

At 82-1 in response to Australia's 390, South Africa appeared well in the Test on a relatively good surface.

It was then, at the 20-over mark, captain Cummins reverted to Australia's tried and tested - Lyon one end, the quicks rotating at the other.

With deliveries easy to hit scarce, Markram and Bedingham attempted forced back-foot drives and edged to slip for 37 and 49 respectively.

South Africa were 82-1 after 20 overs (left graphic) but were 214-8 after Australia dragged their lengths back between the 21st and 60th overs (right graphic)

Wiaan Mulder was caught in two minds and bounced out by Cummins. Tristan Stubbs top-edged the Australia captain to fine leg.

The quality of the bowling and fact the Proteas are playing their first Test since November were other factors in South Africa's slide.

At the other end, off-spinner Lyon bowled 19 overs at less than three runs per over.

"There are not many people in the dressing room that would be able to pull off those two catches."