Australia 397 (Shaun Marsh 148, Steven Smith 100, Dale Steyn 4-78) and 4-290 declared (David Warner 115, Alex Doolan 89, Steyn 2-61) beat South Africa 206 (AB de Villiers 91, Jean-Paul Duminy 25, Mitchell Johnson 7-68) and 200 (de Villiers 48, Hashim Amla 35, Johnson 5-59) by 281 runs.
Thunderbolts from the fierce quick bowler of Australia, Mitchell Johnson, destroyed the mighty batting power house of South Africa in the opening Test.
The Kangaroos amassed 397 runs in the first innings and declared the second one at 4-290 in 72.2 overs. The Proteas managed 206 runs in their first followed by 200 in the second innings.
Mitchell Johnson (Australia) was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his career’s best figures of 12-127.
The first Test of the three match series concluded on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Earlier, the Aussies went into the fourth day at 3-288 in 69 overs whereas Shaun Marsh and his skipper, Michael Clarke, were batting at 44 and 17. They added just two runs to the overnight score when the first was gone for 44 and Clarke declared the second innings at 290 for the loss of four wickets after 72.2 overs.
Dale Steyn was the top wicket taker with two whereas Robin Peterson and Jean-Paul Duminy shared one each.
South Africa was handed over a difficult task of 482 to win the game in nearly two days but Mitchell Johnson dismissed their openers at 12 mere runs. Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis took the score to 49 when the latter was declared leg before wicket off Ryan Harris for 18. AB de Villiers got together with Amla and they tried to mend the early loss with concentration. The total was enhanced to 97 as the latter became the next victim for 35.
Mitchell Johnson penetrated through the middle order batting of the home side and the wickets kept on sliding regularly. AB de Villiers was the seventh batsman who surrendered his wicket at 151 for 48 runs. Robin Peterson scored 21 and Vernon Philander remained unbeaten for 26 while the entire innings of South Africa was folded back for 200 in 59.4 overs.
Mitchell Johnson once again was the highest wicket taker with five scalps whereas Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle held two each.
Australia triumphed in the first Test with a hefty margin of 281 runs and leads the series at 1-0.
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