It will arguably rank among the modern game’s best opening spells and forever be etched into the memory of all present, none more so than South Africa captain Graeme Smith.
With four incredible overs on day two, Mitchell Johnson gave Australia a vice-like grip on the opening Test with a brutal barrage that was near unplayable on a bouncy Centurion pitch.
When Faf du Plessis fell victim in the eighth over to a 151 km/h thunderbolt, Johnson boasted figures of 3-5 and had set the wheels in motion for the Proteas to be 6-140 at stumps – 257 runs in arrears.
“I can’t remember seeing four overs like that in a very long time,” Michael Holding, who was calling the game, told AAP.
“I’ve seen other spells, later in a game, when bowlers have really charged in and frightened the dear life out of batsmen and got a few wickets.
“But Mitchell Johnson was just devastating.
“I presume Michael Clarke told him: don’t hold anything back.
“It’s great when you have the ability to bowl fast, but it’s even better when you can put the ball where you need to on a regular basis.”
First in the firing line was Smith, who looked comfortable taking 10 runs from the opening over bowled by Ryan Harris.
Smith, whose hand Johnson has broken twice, was ungainly in his belated attempt to take evasive action and a menacing ball directed at his skull hit the bat handle instead.
Alviro Petersen’s self-inflicted dismissal was next, the opener’s attempted cut gifting Brad Haddin a regulation catch.
Unsure if he should come forward or rock back to a rising ball on a perfect length, du Plessis then jutted his bat tentatively and the edge flew to Michael Clarke at second slip.
“I don’t think any right-hander would have managed that ball,” Holding said.
Johnson later removed Ryan McLaren’s off stump and held a great catch in the deep to remove JP Duminy.
AB de Villiers (52 not out) was the only local to offer substantial resistance and did it in style – hoiking Johnson for a six when the 32-year-old returned for his second spell.
De Villiers, who was hit on the forearm by Johnson, and Robin Peterson (10 not out) face an immense task when play resumes on Friday.
“There were a few cracks out there early on,” said Johnson, who finished with figures of 4-51.
“I didn’t feel like the ball was swinging, so my plan was to bang the wicket hard and it came off.”
Johnson, who hit a quick-fire 33 with the bat before Dale Steyn (4-78) cleaned up the tail, was quick to credit centurions Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith for putting Australia on top.
Marsh and Smith took almost five hours to compile a 233-run partnership, a record fifth-wicket Test stand for the venue that boosted Australia’s total to 397.
