Mitch's magic spell
18 December, 2008

Mitchell Johnson A seven-wicket haul from Mitchell Johnson has turned the second day of the first 3 Mobile Test on its head in an incredible, topsy-turvy final session at the WACA.

The Proteas were cruising after tea at 3-234 in response to Australia's 375, with half-centurions Jacques Kallis (63) and AB de Villiers (63) looking well in control.

But the loss of de Villiers, caught behind off Johnson in the last half hour set in motion a remarkable train of events as Johnson claimed 5-2 in 21 balls, as the Proteas were reduced to 8-243 at stumps.

Kallis followed in Johnson's next over as he was caught behind as well, with the next over seeing Proteas' debutant J.P Duminy (1) caught by Brad Haddin with a delivery that looked to come off the glove.

Morne Morkel made one before becoming the next of Johnson's victims in the penultimate over of the day, with the left-armer also claiming Paul Harris (0) for good measure, both batsmen being caught in close through sharp catches by Jason Krejza.

Johnson finished the day with 7-42, his best bowling figures and his second five-wicket haul after taking 5-38 against New Zealand last month.

The wickets, though, were symptomatic of a match where wickets have fallen in clusters over the first two days, despite the batsmen appearing comfortably in control in between.


After Proteas' opener Neil McKenzie became Johnson's first scalp with a dreadful shot that he skied directly to Krejza, South African skipper Graeme Smith and No.3 bat Hashim Amla easily posted 90 runs before Krejza produced a stunning ball to remove Amla.

Krejza, brought back on against the breeze once it blew up, flighted a delivery to Amla, getting it to turn wickedly off the deck and slip through the gate as Amla attempted to drive, taking out the batsman's off-stump.

Johnson had initially struggled with his line and length during his early spells, but he rapidly got it right, testing and probing South Africa's batsmen with a good combination of fast and slow balls before earning a nick from Smith that was edged onto the stumps half an hour before tea.

But Kallis and De Villiers weathered the Australian's pressure, taking the Proteas through to the final break and wresting the momentum back as they put on 100 runs from 191 balls.

But having established a start, de Villiers fell to Johnson, sparking the massive collapse as the tourists lost 5-7, Johnson leaving the pitch to the biggest round of applause for the day.

Australia's other wicket taker, Krejza, finished the day with 1-102 after taking some stiff punishment from Kallis and de Villiers as he tired late in the day.