Blistering Johnson rocks South Africa

CENTURION: A breathtaking burst of fast bowling by Mitchell Johnson had South Africa 63-4 at tea and staggering in reply to Australia´s first-innings total of 397 on Thursday.

Johnson blasted out three South Africans, with captain Graeme Smith and Faf du Plessis falling to near-unplayable short-pitched deliveries from the left-arm quick on the second day of the first test at SuperSport Park.

Between their wickets, Johnson also removed Alviro Petersen to leave South Africa flailing at 23-3 at one point. Peter Siddle had Hashim Amla out lbw.

After Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith both made centuries for Australia, Johnson turned the screw on the top-ranked home team with his blistering first spell of 3-10 in four overs, carrying his red-hot Ashes form to South Africa.

He went to tea with 3-25 and had wreaked havoc on South Africa´s top order.Australia led by 334 and South Africa had just six wickets in hand.

South African skipper Smith (10) had pulled the first delivery of the innings from Ryan Harris through midwicket for four, but the fourth delivery of the series from Johnson was fast and bounced head-high at Smith. He hit a looping catch up in the air for slip Marsh to take at a dive after running back.

Johnson´s delivery to rip out new South Africa No. 4 Du Plessis for 3 was even better. Clocked at around 150 kilometers per hour, it reared at the batsman´s throat and Du Plessis could only defend himself and edge to Aussie captain Michael Clarke in the slips.

Johnson forced another edge off a careless shot from Petersen who went for 2. Amla briefly thwarted the attack before a successful review by the Australians sent him back lbw for 17 off Siddle (1-15).

AB de Villiers was 25 not out and JP Duminy 5 not out at the end of the second session, with De Villiers flicking Johnson over fine leg for six in one of his two boundaries.

South Africa is fighting for survival after its initial revival on the second day. With Australia 297-4 overnight, South Africa took six wickets for 100 to end Australia´s first innings, with Dale Steyn capturing 4-78.

But Marsh, with a career-best 148, and Smith, with 100 for his fourth century in seven Tests, had already rebuilt for Australia through their 233-run stand for the fifth wicket to see the tourists edging toward control. (AP)