Johnson takes 7, South Africa 206 all out
CENTURION: The lightning-fast Mitchell Johnson continued the carnage as he took 7-68 to help bowl South Africa out for 206 early on the third day of the second test for Australia´s big...
February 14, 2014
Johnson blasted out four wickets on day two at SuperSport Park, and was just as hostile on Friday when he removed Robin Peterson, AB de Villiers and last-man Morne Morkel to keep Australia in control over the top-ranked home team.
Johnson´s seven wickets came from 17.1 brutal and at times unplayable overs.
De Villiers made 91 for South Africa´s only major contribution as it added 66 on the day for the last four wickets.
Australia lost opener Chris Rogers to South Africa speedster Dale Steyn in the second over of its second innings to be 18-1 at lunch but the tourists still extended its significant lead to 209 and was in position to inflict on South Africa a second defeat at the Centurion ground in 18 tests.
Australia scored 397 batting first in the series-opener after being put in by South Africa captain Graeme Smith, with a career-best 148 from Shaun Marsh and 100 from Steve Smith.
On Friday, left-arm quick Johnson began with a lifting delivery to remove Robin Peterson, caught in the slips, in his second over for 10. He had De Villiers caught at mid-off by a jumping David Warner, and was way too fast for Morkel to beat the tailender first ball and have him edge a typically fierce short-pitched delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon returned 2-38 and Peter Siddle had 1-33 but the innings was all about Johnson.
Clearly Australia´s fiercest weapon in the Ashes whitewash of England, South Africa also had no answer when Johnson was at full speed.
He removed Graeme Smith and Faf du Plessis to almost unplayable deliveries on Thursday and Peterson and Morkel were rocked by more of the short stuff on the third day.
De Villiers stood alone and hit 10 fours and two sixes, with South Africa´s next best score 25 by JP Duminy. (AP)
