South Africa vs. Australia 2014, 1st Test: Mitchell Johnson blows away South Africa

The victorious Australian side

Australia, coming on the back of a 5-0 Ashes triumph, have thumped the top ranked South Africa by a margin of 281 runs in the first Test match at Centurion, South Africa. Mitchell Johnson was the star of the match as he picked up 12 wickets in the match – 7 in the first innings and 5 in the second.

South Africa required 482 runs to win in the fourth innings but were all-out for a meagre 200 in only the fourth day of the Test match. Telling performances from Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Alex Doolan and David Warner helped Australia recover from a troublesome situation, when they were 98 for 4 in the first innings, and mount up a mammoth target for South Africa in the final innings. But take no credit away from the Australian bowlers, who made the mighty South African batting line-up surrender.

Coincidentally, this is Australia’s second consecutive victory with the same margin of 281 runs, following the victory over England with the same margin in Sydney.

Marsh and Smith contributed with two spectacular centuries in the first innings as they forged a partnership of 233 runs for the fifth wicket. Steyn was Saffas’ wrecker-in-chief, picking up 4 wickets in the first innings to help fold the Aussie innings under 400.

South Africa had a very poor start to their first innings as they lost the top 4 for only 43. AB de Villiers, then, helped the home team steady the ship with Jean-Paul Duminy. The captain went on to score 91 as South Africa crumbled for just 206, courtesy of some exceptional bowling by the Aussies especially Johnson, who picked up 7 wickets.

Australia, already leading by 191 runs, scored 290 runs in the second innings before Michael Clarke signalled for declaration. David Warner, ably supported by Doolan and Marsh, notched up his 5th Test century. No bowler seemed to trouble the Australians as South Africa were forced to chase 482 in the final innings earlier today.

The target proved too much for the fabled South African batting line-up, who were soon wrapped up for 200, with only Hashim Amla and De Villiers offering some resistance. Harris and Siddle took 2 wickets each, while Johnson, the star of the first innings, finished with 5 more wickets.

Man of the Match: Mitchell Johnson

Brief scores: 1st Inn Aus: 397 all-out ( Marsh 148, Smith 100; Steyn 78/4); 2nd Inn SA: 206 all-out ( de Villiers 91; Johnson 68/7); 2nd Inn Aus: 290/4 (Warner 115, Doolan 89; Steyn 61/2); 4th Inn SA: 200 all-out ( de Villiers 48; Johnson 59/5)