Johnson rues luck as Redbacks bite

Ashes hopeful Mitchell Johnson witnessed the best and worst of Western Australia’s fielding as South Australia edged towards victory in the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground.

The Warriors will enter the final day at 2-53, chasing 319 for victory, with Cameron Bancroft unbeaten on 16.

Redbacks seamer Trent Lawford ensured it would be an uphill battle for WA when he snared the scalps of Marcus North (37) and night watchman Jason Behrendorff (0) in the dying overs of the day.

Johnson had two catches dropped off his bowling during the opening two days, and he was left to rue his luck when another three catches were grassed on Friday.

But one moment of brilliance left Johnson with a smile.

Redbacks batsman Travis Head (92) had his heart in his mouth when he slashed Johnson down to third man.

A running Cameron Bancroft took the initial catch, but was forced to throw the ball in the air as his momentum took him over the rope.

John Rogers was on hand to complete the catch, giving Johnson his second wicket of the innings.

“The catch was unbelievable. It sparked us for a bit,” said Johnson, who finished with figures of 3-88 to go with 2-74 in the first innings.

“It was good teamwork and it had a bit of a one-day feel about it.”

Joe Mennie was the last wicket to fall as South Australia were bowled out for 326.

But the total could have been much less.

Mennie was dropped twice before falling for 55, while Kelvin Smith (57) was also lucky to make a half-century after being grassed by North at slip.

The costliest mistake came when wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman dropped a leg-side chance off Johnson when Head was on 37.

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