Third Test live updates: Cummins hit for six as shock decision to bowl ripped

The first session is growing increasingly ugly for Australia.

The Proteas have made their way to 50 unscathed, with Marques Ackerman working a Nathan Lyon ball through midwicket and picking up two.

Michael Vaughan, like Simon Katich, is also baffled by Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl.

“Worrying signs here for Australia,” Katich says on SuperSport.

Nathan Lyon is into the attack very early at Newlands, taking the ball after only 10 overs.

The off-spin great was dropped for the second Test in Gqeberha. He now gets an opportunity with Australia searching for an early wicket.

The Proteas are 0-41, with Aiden Markram on 23 and Marques Ackerman on 17.

Oh dear.

Aiden Markram has just pumped Pat Cummins for six in the captain’s first over.

With minimal footwork – and quite a bit of swagger – Markram rocked back and pulled the Aussie captain over the leg-side boundary for a maximum.

“This is a statement to the captain, Pat Cummins,” former South African captain Graeme Smith said on the SuperSport coverage.

“Bang! Fetch that on.”

Pat Cummins has injected himself into the attack after seven overs.

Suffice to say, the skipper is under enormous pressure to find a breakthrough wicket in his first spell given he elected to bowl and Australia’s fruitless start.

South Africa is 0-24 after 30 minutes of play.

Former Australian Test opener Simon Katich is bemused about Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first in Cape Town.

It may be a reflection of how little confidence the brains trust has in the batting unit, especially with Steve Smith missing.

Josh Hazlewood is steaming in from the other end, having been picked at the expense of the luckless Scott Boland.

The ‘Bendemeer Bullet’ has a phenomenal Test record. From 80 Tests, he’s taken 311 wickets at 23.85.

He also forms part of one of the greatest bowling quartets in Test history, along with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.

The four champion bowlers have taken 1661 Test wickets between them.

Mitchell Starc has the new rock and Aiden Markram is on strike.

The gun left-armer sprays the first ball wide outside off and it sails through to gloveman Alex Carey.

At the completion of the first over, South Africa is 0-0.

Pat Cummins said at the toss that he elected to bowl because of “moisture” in the wicket – but did Australia’s batting frailties play into the surprise decision?

The teams are walking out for the national anthems and first ball is only moments away.

The match is due to start at 7.30pm AEDT.

The core of Australia’s bowling unit is Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Cummins also has Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw at his disposal.

Australian captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bowl.

“It feels like there’s a bit of moisture in the wicket, so we’ll have first use of it,” the skipper said.