Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson achieved his best bowling figures in Test matches with 7 wickets for 42 runs to reduce South Africa to 242 for 8 on day two of the first Test at the WACA.
Resuming on overnight score of 341 for 9, Australian debutant Peter Siddle (23) added 34 runs for the final wicket with Jason Krejza (19 not out).
Chasing Australia’s 375, South Africa lost opener Neil McKenzie in the eighth over. McKenzie (2) was the first of three wickets caught by Krejza off Johnson’s bowling.
Skipper Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla then put on 90 runs for the second wicket before both batsmen fell within 8 balls. Both batsmen fell short of half centuries. Smith was the first to depart on 48 after being clean bowled by Johnson while Amla (47) fell in similar fashion to Krejza.
Another solid partnership for the Proteas came from the willows of middle-order batsmen Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers both of who scored 63 runs before falling to Johnson again. Just 3 runs separated their dismissal and the Proteas then slumped to 237 for 5.
Johnson who looked in fine form all day then picked up his fifth wicket in the form of JP Duminy (1) who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin like de Villiers and Kallis.
Morne Morkel (1) and Paul Harris (0) fell in the penultimate over of the day as Johnson ended the day with seven wickets to his credit.
Dale Steyn (1*) and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (2*) are currently batting at the crease with only tail-ender Makhaya Ntini remaining to bat.
Brett Lee, Siddle and Andrew Symonds were the other bowlers who were utilized by Australian captain Ricky Ponting, but none of them claimed any wicket in the match as Johnson achieved his best bowling figures in an innings.
South Africa currently trails by 132 runs with 2 wickets in hand as the Australians have suddenly gained vital momentum in the ongoing Test.
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