Filed under AUSvSA Perth Test 2008

Starting the day with 7 wickets already on his name - Mitchell Johnson, had he taken remaining 2 wickets in South African first innings, would have broken the record for best bowling figures by an Australia bowler.

Record for best bowling by an Aussie bowler belongs to Aurther Mailey (leg spinner) for his 9 wickets for 121 runs against England at Melbourne way back in February 1921. 8 wickets in an innings has been taken by 15 bowlers from downunder and Mitchell Johnson's fugures of 24-4-61-8 takes him to 6th position.

That wasn't to be. Johnson removed Dale Steyn early on Day 3 but Mkhaya Ntini provided some support to Mark Boucher who refused several singles to prolong Proteas innings.. Peter Siddle got Boucher caught by Simon Katich at point, leaving Australia with 94 runs lead on first innings.

Mathew Hayden, short of runs, had adopted aggressive mode in first innings but he opted for ultra precautionary attitude second time around. Simon Katich was timing the ball well at other end but Hayden's slowness allowed Proteas keep check on scoring rate. 25 runs in 9th over, Mathew Hayden got a rough decision by umpire Aleem Dar after surviving a close leg before decision by same umpire off same bowler - Dale Steyn.

Simon Katich was done in by a special away cutter by Jaques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting became victim of some superb left arm spin bowling by Paul Harris who has been easily the best bowler in Proteas lot so far in the match.

At 88 for 3 wickets, Australia had a lead of only 182 runs and Proteas could smell blood. Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds did some repaire job, both going past difficult period only to throw it away at individual scores of 25 and 37 respectively.

Real thorn in flesh proved Jason Krejza - Brad Haddin partnership which had put on 66 runs without being saperated at the end of Day 3 play.

Few balls have misbehaved so far on this infamous Perth Pitch, and there's no reason why South Africa can't chase down a 350 run target in fourth innings or even a 400 isn't as probable.. specially recalling the last test Proteas played here and batted out 5th day to save the test match.

Scorecard : Australia vs South Africa 1st test, Perth : 17-21 December 2008

Preview : Both teams may play a spinner on world's fastest pitch

Day 1 : Australia survive fluctuating day to reach respectable total

Day 2 : South Africa dig their grave in last hour of the day

Day 3 : Proteas stay afloat on an eventful day.

Day 4 : South Africa need 187 more runs : 7 wickets & a day to go

Day 5 : South Africa shock Australia : Chase 414, batting 4th.