The ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s is perfectly poised after another thrilling day of fast-paced cricket. Australia ended day two on 144/8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead over South Africa in a contest where bowlers have ruled supreme.
A total of 28 wickets have now fallen over two action-packed days, with both teams experiencing dramatic collapses and spirited fightbacks.
Australia began the day with a slender lead of 74 after bowling out South Africa for 138, thanks largely to captain Pat Cummins. The fast bowler delivered a sensational spell, finishing with figures of 6/28 and becoming the first visiting captain to take a five-wicket haul at Lord’s. His sixth wicket of the innings was also his 300th in Test cricket.
Cummins’ brilliant effort dismantled South Africa’s middle and lower order after Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham had given their side hope with a 64-run fifth-wicket partnership. Bavuma was eventually dismissed for 36, caught brilliantly by Marnus Labuschagne at cover, while Bedingham top-scored with 45.
Cummins then removed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in quick succession, before wrapping up the innings with the dismissals of Bedingham and Kagiso Rabada. “It was Cummins’ 14th five-wicket haul in Tests and ninth as captain,” noted commentators, emphasizing his continued dominance with the ball.
South Africa’s fightback began immediately in Australia’s second innings. Rabada and Ngidi led the charge, reducing Australia to 73/7 with fiery spells. Rabada struck twice in one over, removing Khawaja and Green, before Ngidi dismissed Smith, Webster, and Cummins in quick succession.
Just when South Africa looked to seize control, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc steadied Australia’s innings with a vital 61-run eighth-wicket partnership. Carey scored a brisk 43 before Rabada trapped him lbw late in the evening. “Rabada collected a five-wicket haul in the first innings… and was at his brilliant best yet again,” praised match reports.
Australia will resume day three with Starc on 16 and Nathan Lyon on 1, aiming to stretch the lead further in what has become a highly competitive and unpredictable Test final.
With three days left, the match is delicately balanced. South Africa will need to produce one of the most successful run chases ever at Lord’s if they are to clinch their first WTC title, while Australia is edging closer to defending their crown.