South Africa v/s Australia, 1st Test: Mitchell Marsh, Starc guide visitors to 351 in Durban

An well-compiled 96 Mitchell Marsh and a quickfire 35 from Mitchell Starc helped Australia get to 351 on the second day of the first Test against South Africa.

Marsh brought up his third Test 50 in 125 balls and is now top scorer for the Australians in their first innings as he weathered the second new ball with a circumspect approach.

He and Tim Paine resumed on Friday with Australia on 225-5 but once South Africa took the second new ball, it took just four deliveries for Paine to edge a full delivery from Kagiso Rabada behind to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for 25.

Pat Cummins batted patiently before being undone by the spin of Keshav Maharaj, who bowled him through the gate for three, leaving Australia 251-7.

But Starc scuppered home hopes of restricting Australia to under 300 on a slow, batting-friendly wicket, hitting some lusty blows for a rapidfire 35 runs off 25 balls before Maharaj bowled him in the last over before lunch.

Maharaj was the pick of the Proteas bowlers, picking a five-for off his 33.4 overs at the Kingsmead track in Durban.

Captain Steve Smith (56) and David Warner (51) contributed runs on the opening day with Vernon Philander taking two wickets for the home team.

Warner said after the first day's play that any total over 300 would be considered "a crucial lead".