Australia’s bowlers fought back after they were bowled out for a modest total by South Africa as 14 wickets fell on an engrossing first day of the World Test Championship final.
Proteas quick bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed five of them after he helped skittle Australia for 212 shortly after the tea interval.
Steve Smith and Beau Webster, who made 66 and 72 respectively, had rescued Australia from a parlous 67-4 with a 79-run stand for the fifth wicket.
But Australia’s last five wickets went down for a paltry 18 runs as Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s pace attack with discipline and skill.
The fast bowler had come into the match with something of a cloud hanging over him having recently served a short ban for recreational drug use.
However, his haul here moved him past the legendary Allan Donald and up to fourth on South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers list.
Left the best part of the evening session to bat, and with Lord’s bathed in sunshine, the South Africans wilted in the face of an Aussie barrage.
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc charged in to remove openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton cheaply.
Markram departed for a duck, undone by an inswinging yorker, while Rickelton tentatively edged to Usman Khawaja in the slips.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins then bowled Wiaan Mulder through the gate before Josh Hazlewood snuck one past the defence of Tristan Stubbs.
Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham will resume on day two, unbeaten on three and eight respectively.
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