Australia 338 ahead after Johnson takes 7

CENTURION: Mitchell Johnson continued the carnage as he took 7-68 and batsman David Warner powered Australia into a 338-run lead over South Africa on the third day of the first test on Friday.

Johnson took three wickets in the morning to go with his four on Thursday then Warner raced to 93 not out, blazing 11 fours and two sixes to take the Aussies to tea at 147-1.

Johnson´s dominance with the ball was nearly matched by Warner´s with the bat, helped by a sturdy 48 not out by Alex Doolan on debut.

Australia added 129 in the second session without losing a wicket after Chris Rogers was out early.

Johnson´s red-shot streak continued as he took three of the South African wickets to fall on day three, with the top-ranked home team rolled out for 206. (AP)