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Mitchell Johnson shines with bat and ball as Australia beat India in second test

Paceman hits 88 runs and claims four wickets as Australia secure second test to lead series 2-0

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Australia's David Warner dives as he tries to take a catch on the boundary on day four of the second test against India. Photo: AFP
Reuters

Mitchell Johnson's brilliance with bat and ball inspired Australia to a four-wicket second test victory over India and an unassailable 2-0 series lead at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.

Mitch Marsh hit the winning runs as Australia survived a few wobbles to chase down their target of 128 after tea on the fourth day of the contest but two interventions from Johnson set up the victory.

On Friday, Australia were 247 for six chasing India's first innings 408 when Johnson came out and smashed 88 runs from 93 balls in a Gabba record seventh-wicket stand of 148 with skipper Steve Smith that turned the match on its head.

Mitch certainly turned it on for us in that little spell this morning, that really cracked the game open for us
Steve Smith

Yesterday, India had resumed their second innings on 71 for one looking to quickly make up the 26-run deficit on Australia's total of 505 and build another imposing score.

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Half an hour later, their hopes were shattered as Johnson (four for 61), ably assisted by debutant paceman Josh Hazlewood (two for 74), ripped through the batting to leave India pondering yet another collapse at 87 for five.

Australia's Mitchell Johnson is congratulated by teammates after his memorable display on day four of the second test at the Gabba. Photo: EPA
Australia's Mitchell Johnson is congratulated by teammates after his memorable display on day four of the second test at the Gabba. Photo: EPA
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In one dizzying 11-ball spell, Johnson took three for 10 by removing Virat Kohli (one), Ajinkya Rahane (10) and Rohit Sharma (0). Hazlewood, who took five for 68 in the first innings, removed India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a duck in the next over.

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