North, Johnson star to put Aussies in command
Posted on Feb 27, 2009 at 13:36 | Updated Feb 27, 2009 at 23:52
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Johannesburg: Australia batted to a dominant position with a first-innings total of 466 in the first Test against South Africa on Friday, and then took two Proteas wickets in four balls to ram home the advantage.
South Africa recovered some composure by reaching 85-3 at the close of the second day, but on 2-2 and with captain Graeme Smith out for a duck, the Proteas had been in dire straits at the start of their innings.
In the first over, Mitchell Johnson had Smith caught behind when he found the outside edge of the skipper's bat. Three balls later Hashim Amla (one) was caught in the slips by Australia captain Ricky Ponting off debutant Ben Hilfenhaus' second ball of the match.
Veteran South Africa batsman Jacques Kallis then became the eighth player to reach 10,000 Test runs when he got to 12, but he edged a catch to Michael Hussey in the gully on 27, with the score on 49-3. Kallis also reached 10,000 runs in one-day internationals in Australia last month.
South Africa face an uphill battle to get back into the match and will need to be as patient as Australia was after their initial first-innings hiccup.
Earlier on the second day, debutant Marcus North hit a powerful 117 to help guide Australia to an imposing 466 all out at tea.
Australia, seeking to rebound from a 2-1 series defeat against the Proteas at home in December and January, showed admirable composure after stumbling to 38-3 on the first day.
North and No. 9 batsman Johnson, who thrashed 96 not out off 131 balls including 10 fours and five sixes, added 117 for the eighth wicket. The stand demoralised the hosts who had taken two wickets in the first five overs after taking the second new ball.
The Australia duo had taken the total to 413 when North, who hit a dozen fours, was beaten by spinner Paul Harris and stumped by Mark Boucher.
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