PRETORIA: Mitchell Johnson showed his fiery bowling had not cooled from the Ashes as he ripped through South Africa’s top order to leave the hosts 140 for six at the close of the second day of the first Test against Australia at SuperSport Park on Thursday.
Johnson dismissed captain Graeme Smith, Alviro Petersen and Faf du Plessis in a devastating early spell that helped reduce South Africa to 43/4 at one stage.
He finished the day with four wickets – and a stunning one-handed catch – to stymie the home side’s attempts at a comeback.
South Africa are 257 runs behind with four wickets remaining after bowling Australia out for 397 just after lunch. They need 58 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Paceman Johnson proved the central figure on a day of dominance for the tourists, as they added 100 runs to their overnight score and then put South Africa under pressure with the ball.
Only AB de Villiers, who was 52 not out at the close, provided any resistance for the top-ranked Test nation.
Australia, 297/4 overnight, had waited almost an hour at the start of the day for Steve Smith (100) to get the nine runs needed to complete his fourth test century.
He lasted two more deliveries after reaching the landmark.
Marsh, who was 122 overnight, eventually fell for a test-high of 148 in a stylish knock three days after arriving as a late call-up for the injured Shane Watson.
Johnson contributed a valuable 33 with the bat in the lower order before Australia were dismissed soon after lunch. (Reuters)