Nortje takes two in an over on his Test return as South Africa have Australia 187-6
The fast bowler had not played a Test for three years. Bad light ended the first day in Durban two hours early.
Durban — Anrich Nortje took two wickets in one over on his return to Test cricket after three years away, as South Africa reduced Australia to 187 for six on the first day of the first Test at Kingsmead, Daily Maverick reports.
Australia chose to bat. They were 24 for two early on and later slumped to 124 for six.
Matt Renshaw, unbeaten on 46, and Pat Cummins, on 33 not out, then put on 63 together before bad light stopped play about two hours early.
The wickets
Wiaan Mulder took two for 31, removing Travis Head for nine and trapping Marnus Labuschagne leg before for 37. Marco Jansen dismissed Nic Maddinson for a 33-ball duck.
Nortje, bowling at around 145km/h, finished with two for 40. He removed Alex Carey and Beau Webster in his second over.
Steve Smith made 25 in his first Test in South Africa since the ball-tampering scandal of 2018.
Missing names
South Africa are without Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Before the match, the batting coach Ashwell Prince said that "whatever combination of bowlers we will go with can take 20 wickets".
For Maddinson it was a first Test since 2016. He has recovered from testicular cancer.
This report is based on reporting by Daily Maverick.
