Johnson’s inspired burst leaves SA reeling in Perth

PERTH, Dec 18: Left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson produced a devastating spell to put Australia on top on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground here on Thursday.

Johnson, who finished the day with career-best figures of 7-42, took five wickets for two runs in 21 deliveries in one of the greatest spells in cricket history as the shell-shocked tourists stumbled from 234-3 to 243-8 at stumps.

Jacques Kallis and A.B. de Villiers both made 63 in a stand of 124 but Johnson then picked up five wickets in four overs to leave South Africa reeling.

Australia were all out for 375 earlier in the day with Makhaya Ntini taking 4-72. The home side managed to add 34 to their overnight 341-9 before Ntini had last man Peter Siddle caught behind for 23, leaving Jason Krejza unbeaten on 30.

Australia’s total was a good effort, having been 15-3 on the opening morning, and South Africa needed a positive response against an attack which, in Siddle and Krejza, had two players appearing in only their second Test.

But Johnson had other ideas, having been entrusted with the new ball in the absence of injured Stuart Clark, and he soon removed Neil McKenzie for two when a poor shot saw the opener caught by Krejza.

South Africa shrugged off the setback and skipper Graeme Smith set about laying a solid foundation to their innings in tandem with Hashim Amla.

The pair added 90 for the second wicket before off-spinner Krejza produced a flighted delivery which deceived Amla and spun back to bowl him for 47 as he attempted to drive.

Australia made it a double breakthrough in the next over when Smith, who was treated for an elbow injury during his two-and-a-half-hour innings, played on to a ball from Johnson and departed for 48.

Once again, the tourists had to rebuild but Kallis and de Villiers were equal to the task and batted together for 38 overs either side of the tea interval.

Krejza proved expensive, conceding 102 from his 25 overs, and home skipper Ricky Ponting eventually turned again to Johnson. It proved an inspired decision as his devastating burst ripped through South Africa’s batting line-up.

De Villiers, Kallis and debutant Jean-Paul Duminy all edged to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and they were followed back to the pavilion by Morne Morkel and Paul Harris, who were both caught by Krejza in the space of four deliveries.

Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn survived the final over of the day, bowled by Krejza, but South Africa were 132 behind at the close and facing an uphill task to repair the damage.

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke injured his right thumb while fielding in slips and went to hospital for an x-ray but later returned to field again in the post-lunch session.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA (1st Innings, overnight 341-9):

M.L. Hayden c Smith b Ntini 12

S.M. Katich lbw b Morkel 83

R.T. Ponting c de Villiers b Ntini 0

M.E.K. Hussey c de Villiers b Steyn 0

M.J. Clarke c Smith b Harris 62

A. Symonds c McKenzie b Harris 57

B.J. Haddin c Duminy b Ntini 29

B. Lee c Duminy b Steyn 29

J.J. Krejza not out 30

M.G. Johnson lbw b Morkel 18