South Africa strike bowler Anrich Nortje claimed the key wickets of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne on Wednesday to prise Australia’s grip on the third Test in Sydney as rain plagued the opening day. 

Nortje was the Proteas’ star man as he removed Warner cheaply for 10 and late in the day denied Labuschagne (79) his 11th Test hundred. As bad light and rain conspired to prematurely end the first day, Australia were 147 for two with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 54 and Steven Smith yet to get off the mark.