Mitchell Johnson is pumped up and ready to inflict more misery on South Africa’s batsmen after taking career-best figures of 7-42 on day two of the first Test at the WACA.
The former Queenslander, who now represents the Warriors and is playing his first Test on his new home ground, produced a devastating spell of 5-2 in 21 balls on Thursday to leave the Proteas struggling.
World No.2-ranked South Africa will resume on Friday morning at 8-243 in reply to Australia’s first innings of 375.
Makhaya Ntini on one and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher on two are the not-out batsmen with only Dale Steyn to come.
“We’ve just got to go out there tomorrow, we’ve got to get these two wickets, hopefully still have a healthy lead and put a heap of runs on the board,” Johnson said.
“And then (we’ll) see what we can do with the ball again.”
Left-armer Johnson landed five hammer blows in 33 minutes late on day two.
AB De Villiers (63), Jacques Kallis (63) and debutant JP Duminy (1) were all caught behind and Morne Morkel (1) and spinner Paul Harris (0) were both caught by Jason Krejza.
“I’m in a bit of shock,” said Johnson after producing his second five-wicket haul in his 16th Test.
“It’s pretty crazy. I was copping a bit of flak earlier. They were still calling me a Queenslander,” added Johnson, who switched states to be with Perth-based girlfriend Jessica Bratich.
He has yet to play a first-class game for the Warriors, but the crowd of 10,515 soon welcomed their new hero.
“I started getting a few wickets and the crowd were right into it,” Johnson said.
“It’s a crazy feeling when the crowd is standing up and applauding you.
“They lost five for seven … so hopefully mentally it gets into their head a bit and they start thinking about it a bit more.”
Kallis said the collapse was frustrating.
“At 230 for three we were in a commanding position but that’s what happens when you play against the best side in the world, you have to be on top of your game all the time,” he said.
“So we’ve got some hard work ahead of us, we’ve been in positions like this before and come out of it so the guys have to put their hands up now and obviously try to get as close to the Aussie score as possible and put those Aussies under pressure with the bowling.
“The game isn’t over by a long way.”
AAP gab/gjw
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
The NRL is investigating an allegation that Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were racially abused during South Sydney's loss to St George…
Whenever a player lines up for a major milestone match, especially a prop in their 300th appearance, the big question is whether they will…
Joseph Suaalii sat down DWZ with this tackle but he was placed on report for it. Was it a fair hit?
The Chooks half is high on confidence. Sam Walker set up Daniel Tupou with this brilliant cross-field kick.
The Roosters centre has been suspended in the past for raising his knee into contact. Is he in trouble again for this collision with…
Andrew Webster's face said it all. Did the Warriors get a raw deal here? https://twitter.com/terryrwrist/status/1789516601634775201 https://twitter.com/Eden_Richards/status/1789514435524260178
