STARC INJURY ROCKS PAINE’S FIRST DAY IN CHARGE

CHADD Sayers snagged a catch on Test debut but otherwise there was little for Australia to celebrate in its first session since sacked skipper Steve Smith returned home and Tasmanian Tim Paine took over.

South Africa won the toss and strolled to 1-122 on day one of the fourth Test in Johannesburg, where the visitors made four changes in the wake of a balltampering bombshell.

Mitchell Starc, who will miss out on $1.8 million of Indian Premier League riches because of a leg injury, and the shamed trio of Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all enforced omissions last night.

Sayers, Peter Handscomb and jet-lagged openers Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns, who on Tuesday helped Queensland lift the Sheffield Shield in Brisbane, were all called up.

Paine, himself deeply conflicted at what is meant to be a career highlight, donned a brave face and did what he could to lift teammates’ spirits. Nathan Lyon struck in his second over, removing Dean Elgar for the third time this series with the help of Sayers at mid-off.

Aiden Markram then settled in an unbeaten stand with Hashim Amla.

Paine became the nation’s 46th Test captain but Cricket Australia, reeling from the saga that has cost it millions in sponsorship and immeasurable reputation damage, was unable to sort a captain’s blazer in time. The Tasmanian gloveman has worked incredibly hard this week to try to restore a semblance of normality.