Perth: A fighting knock of 39 not out from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has put Australia back in control against South Africa after a see-sawing day three of the first Test.

Australia were 228 for 7 at stumps on Friday, an overall lead of 322, with two days of play remaining on a WACA pitch that has produced 27 wickets in three days. Spinner Jason Krejza (28 not out), who came to the crease at 162 for 7, combined with Haddin for an unbeaten 66-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

Australia are now well-placed given the highest successful run-chase in the WACA Test was India's 342 for 8 against Australia in 1977-78.

After Mitchell Johnson took a remarkable 8 for 61 to bowl South Africa out for 281, handing Australia a first-innings lead of 94, South Africa struck an early blow with the wicket of Matthew Hayden for four.

Michael Clarke, building on his first innings of 62, got another start before a loose cut shot caused his downfall caught at slip for 25 as Dale Steyn's sustained accuracy was rewarded at 5-148.

For the second time in the match, Andrew Symonds chipped a simple catch to long-on from the bowling of Harris, departing for 37 from the first delivery after drinks in the evening session at 6-157.

Brett Lee (5) soon followed as AB De Villiers took a diving catch at second slip with Jacques Kallis claiming his second wicket.

Johnson's effort is the eighth-best performance in an innings by an Australian bowler in Test history and the second-best by an Australian at the WACA behind Glenn McGrath's 8-24 against Pakistan four years ago.

Reports by session
1st Session: Runs 78, Wkt 2, Ovr 23.5
2nd Session: Runs 66, Wkt 3, Ovr 28
3rd Session: Runs 113, Wkt 3, Ovr 35

Brief Score: Australia 375 and 228 for 7 (BJ Haddin 39*, SM Katich 37) lead South Africa 281 (JH Kallis 63, AB de Villiers 63, MG Johnson 8/61) by 322-runs/P>