Top 5 South Africa - Australia player battles

#2 Graeme Smith and Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson and Graeme Smith have had a storied history

The Aussie left-arm seamer and the ex-South African captain have a long standing history. Johnson has broken Smith's hand twice in Test matches in which Australia have defeated South Africa. And Smith has scored two hundreds against an Australia attack that had Johnson, both times taking his century off the left-armer in matches where South Africa emerged victorious.

Smith's average against Johnson in Tests is a mere 27.14: 190 runs in 245 balls with 7 dismissals. In South Africa, he averages 22 (88 runs, four dismissals) and in Australia 34 (102 runs, three dismissals). Johnson has had the better of the opener seven times in Tests.

In the lead up to a Test series between the two, Smith said when asked whether he will do anything specific to prepare for his next encounter with Johnson, "I can go and watch some videos of scoring hundreds against Mitchell, which I've done. It's important not to get caught up in the hype."

The left-hander famously came out to bat to save a Test match in Australia, after Johnson had fractured his hand earlier in the game. Although South Africa lost the game eventually, Smith was lauded for his bravery to face a fiery Johnson with a broken hand.