Johnson wrecks S African top order

CENTURION, South Africa, Feb 13 (AFP): Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson took three wickets in a devastating opening spell to plunge South Africa's top order batting into disarray on the second day of the first Test at SuperSport Park  Thursday.
South Africa were 63 for four at tea after dismissing Australia for 397 in the first innings.
Johnson needed just four balls to strike a major blow for his team when he dismissed South African captain Graeme Smith with a vicious bouncer.
He followed up with the wickets of Alviro Petersen and Faf du Plessis in his third and fourth overs.
Peter Siddle trapped Hashim Amla leg before wicket for 17.
Smith started confidently, pulling Ryan Harris's first ball for four and taking ten runs off the first over of the innings.
Petersen scored a single off Johnson's second ball, bringing Smith on strike against the left-arm fast bowler, who destroyed England by taking 37 wickets at an average of 13.97 during the recent Ashes series.
Johnson's first ball to Smith was short and there was a half-hearted appeal as it thudded off Smith's thigh pad to short leg.
The next ball was a fast bouncer which climbed towards Smith's head. The batsman lifted his bat in front of his face and the ball looped over the slips, with Shaun Marsh running back from third slip to take a fine catch.