Tait touts Johnson as 'greatest bowler of generation' for 'scaring' Proteas in first Test

Former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has branded pace sensation Mitchell Johnson as the greatest bowler of his generation for scaring the rival batsmen into going out at their 'fortress' Centurion Park.

In one of the most exhilarating and ruthless spells of the modern era, Johnson (4/51) reduced South African quartet Graeme Smith (10), Alviro Petersen (2), Faf du Plessis (3) and JP Duminy (25) to road kill in the series opener.

According to News.com.au, Tait, who terrorised batsman for a decade with his own brand of 150km/h slingers, said that the hosts are obviously scared of the pace generated by Johnson in the Test, adding none of their best players want to go and face the left-armer now after witnessing his attack.

Tait further said that Johnson, who snared Du Plessis with a brutal throat ball and tempted a nervous edge from Petersen, has come with some 'pretty' hostile spells again for which he is currently the most dangerous and the best bowler in the world and in his generation.

Tait also said that believes any bowler who single-handedly reclaims the Ashes with 37 wickets at 14, can destroy premier batsmen for fun and clicks turnstiles occupies a special echelon, adding that Johnson is worth every penny of the 1.15 million dollars he fetched at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.