Warner, Clarke put Australia in control

David Warner smashed an unbeaten half-century as Australia powered their way to 118 for one at lunch on the first day of the series-deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

David Warner hit a century and captain Michael Clarke battled his way back into form as Australia dominated the first day of the series-deciding third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.

Warner put a week of controversy behind him and hit a sparkling 135 off 162 balls in an Australian total of 331 for three.

Clarke, who twice needed treatment after being hit, went past 24 for the first time in 12 Test innings to make 92 not out on a day when South Africa lost strike bowler Dale Steyn with a hamstring injury midway through the afternoon.

Steyn, who took the first wicket, left the field after bowling one ball of the fourth over of his third spell and did not return.

It was the second time in successive matches that South Africa, having picked only four specialist bowlers, lost one to injury after Wayne Parnell suffered a groin strain in the second Test in Port Elizabeth.