World-class bowling and sub-par batting have combined to produce high drama in the first two days of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final between South Africa and Australia. With 28 wickets falling in just two days, the match has swung back and forth at the Home of Cricket – Lord’s, London — where Australia have edged ahead in a gripping contest. | WTC final AUS vs SA Day 2 Highlights |
Australian skipper Pat Cummins scripted history with a sensational six-wicket haul, dismantling the South African batting line-up. He became the first captain in the history of a major tournament final to claim a five-wicket haul, helping bowl South Africa out for 138 and securing a 74-run first-innings lead.
Cummins was at his imperious best on Thursday, delivering lethal spells that ensured Australia took a vital advantage despite posting just 212 in their first innings.
However, South Africa’s pacers hit back hard. Australia were reeling at 73 for 7 in the final session, facing the real possibility of a rare defeat in a Test championship final. That was until Alex Carey, who had earlier played a rash shot in the first innings, redeemed himself with a composed and defiant knock late in the day.
Carey survived a few nervy moments — with several edges falling short of the slip cordon — before settling into rhythm with a quick 43. His 61-run stand for the eighth wicket with Mitchell Starc helped steer Australia to 144 for 8 at stumps, extending their lead to 218.
Kagiso Rabada continued his stellar form, taking three more wickets to move to eight for the match. He ripped through the Australian top order, removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single over. Lungi Ngidi added to the drama with a redemptive spell, claiming three key wickets including Steve Smith’s.
Mitchell Starc remained unbeaten on 16, playing a crucial supporting role in keeping Australia just ahead in this enthralling final.
Only four successful chases of 200 or more have been recorded at Lord’s in Test history. Yet, in a year that has favoured the underdogs, South Africa will back themselves to chase anything under 300 on a pitch that, while testing, has not been unplayable by Lord’s standards.
