Lyon now 6th on Aussie wicket-taking list

Nathan Lyon is surging towards his 300th Test scalp, having snared two wickets in his first over of the series opener between Australia and South Africa.

Lyon, the world's leading Test-wicket in 2017, came on after just seven overs in Durban and it proved a masterstroke from Steve Smith.

The offspinner struck with his second delivery on the slow pitch, snatching a low catch to remove Dean Elgar for seven.

Hashim Amla then handed Lyon his 292nd Test wicket. Amla was dismissed for a third-ball duck, offering Cameron Bancroft a regulation catch at short leg.

Lyon now sits sixth on Australia's all-time list of leading wicket-takers, having overtaken Craig McDermott at Kingsmead.

MOST TEST WICKETS FOR AUSTRALIA

708 - Shane Warne 563 - Glenn McGrath 355 - Dennis Lillee 313 - Mitchell Johnson 310 - Brett Lee 292* - Nathan Lyon

NB: Midway through day two of Test in Durban.