Alex Carey

‘It’s pretty close to 50-50’: Pat Cummins reflects on Australia’s position after WTC Final Day 2 vs South Africa | Cricket News

Danijones2 days ago05 mins

Pat Cummins of Australia with team mates Nathan Lyon and Beau Webster (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Australia captain Pat Cummins reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets while leading his team to a commanding position in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 13, 2025. After two days of play, Australia reached 144-8 in their second innings, establishing a lead of 218 runs with two wickets remaining.A total of 28 wickets fell across the first two days as both teams’ batsmen struggled for runs on a challenging pitch.Cummins delivered an outstanding bowling performance, taking 6-28 on the second day to help dismiss South Africa for 138 runs, giving Australia a first-innings lead of 74 runs. Pat Cummins on WTC Final: ‘Cameron Green deserves a spot in the lineup’ An eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out) strengthened Australia’s position at stumps.“It’s set up pretty well. The mood in the changing room is pretty positive. It was a great partnership and a good way to end the day,” Cummins said.“After two days it’s pretty close to 50-50. It’s a pretty good Test match. Some blokes have got themselves in and looked comfortable out there, but a lot of other guys haven’t,” Cummins added regarding the bowlers’ dominance.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Cummins attributed the rapid progress of the match to both pitch conditions and bowling quality.“Both teams have bowled really well, really disciplined. There haven’t been many half-volleys,” he said.“The trend of the game is that the runs are coming down. It’s still pretty difficult out there, but we will have to bowl well tomorrow (Friday),” the 32-year-old said in his 68th Test appearance. Temba Bavuma on picking Ngidi over Paterson for WTC Final: ‘Tough decision’ Cummins became the eighth Australian bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, achieving this feat at an average of 22.08.“There’s not too many on that list. It’s something I’ve always thought about. It’s a pretty good sign of durability and longevity,” Cummins remarked about his milestone.South Africa’s top scorer David Bedingham, who made 45 runs, acknowledged the challenging conditions.“It’s a fairly tricky pitch, but I think when you have six quality seamers on a tricky pitch it obviously makes batting tough,” Bedingham said.Despite trailing in the match, Bedingham expressed confidence in South Africa’s ability to chase down the target.“It is an amazing chance and we are very excited about the opportunity to win. It could go either way but there is a lot of belief,” he said.“I think the pitch is slowing down a bit and maybe in the fourth innings it will go a bit straighter. Hopefully, we can get those runs,” Bedingham added, as South Africa aims for their first major global title in 28 years.

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AUS vs SA: WTC final on a knife’s edge as Australia, South Africa trade blows on Day 2

Danijones2 days ago04 mins

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. Published By: Akshay Ramesh Published On: Jun 12, 2025

Out or not out? David Bedingham survives the handle-the-ball appeal in WTC final

Danijones2 days ago07 mins

South Africa batter David Bedingham found himself at the centre of a rare and controversial moment during the World Test Championship final against Australia, surviving an appeal for handling the ball – now classified as obstructing the field. The incident took place when Australia’s Beau Webster bowled a length delivery that Bedingham defended with a faint inside edge. The ball deflected off his pads and dropped close to his feet. As it hovered near the pitch, wicketkeeper Alex Carey rushed forward, attempting to take a catch. In an instinctive reaction, Bedingham bent down and scooped the ball away from his body with his hand before it hit the ground. Carey immediately appealed, convinced the batter had interfered with a possible dismissal. AUS vs SA Live Score, WTC Final 2025 Day 2 Umpires Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney discussed the appeal before ruling Bedingham not out. Their decision was based on MCC Law 37.3.1, which states that a batter is out obstructing the field if they willfully prevent a fielder from making a play – including a catch – using the hand or body. Since 2017, “handling the ball” is no longer a standalone dismissal and is instead considered under this law. While Bedingham clearly made contact with the ball using his hand, the umpires determined there was no deliberate intent to obstruct Carey. As a result, the appeal was dismissed. The moment drew comparisons to Michael Vaughan’s dismissal against India in 2001 – one of the few instances of a batter being given out for handling the ball in Test cricket. However, Vaughan’s case fell under the older version of the law, which did not require proof of intent. In Bedingham’s case, the emphasis was on whether he had willfully interfered. With no clear obstruction found, the South African batter was allowed to continue. If the delivery is not a no ball, the striker is out Obstructing the Field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker from being out caught. Also relevant are Laws 20.1, which pertain to when a ball becomes dead: 20.1 Ball is dead 20.1.1 The ball becomes dead when 20.1.1.1 it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or of the bowler. 20.1.1.2 a boundary is scored. See Law 19.7 (Runs scored from boundaries). 20.1.1.3 a batter is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal. 20.1.1.4 whether played or not it becomes trapped between the bat and person of a batter or between items of his/her clothing or equipment. 20.1.1.5 whether played or not it lodges in the clothing or equipment of a batter or the clothing of an umpire. 20.1.1.6 under either of Laws 24.4 (Player returning without permission) or 28.2 (Fielding the ball) there is an offence resulting in an award of Penalty runs. The ball shall not count as one of the over. 20.1.1.7 there is contravention of Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side). 20.1.1.8 the match is concluded in any of the ways stated in Law 12.9 (Conclusion of match). 20.1.2 The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play Video footage showed the ball briefly trapped between Bedingham’s thighs before rolling onto his pad flap. As Carey closed in, Bedingham grabbed the ball and threw it down – an instinctive move that raised eyebrows. Australia’s players, including Usman Khawaja, sought a review, while Carey and the rest of the team exchanged wry smiles, aware of the delicate nature of the call. After discussion, umpire Illingworth signalled a dead ball, allowing Bedingham to continue his innings. Many questioned whether the ball had truly come to rest, arguing that it was not dead and that Bedingham’s action could have warranted dismissal. The umpires’ decision to let play continue reflected the fine balance between applying the letter of the law and respecting the spirit of the game. The incident inevitably drew comparisons to a similar Carey-involved controversy from the 2023 Ashes – the stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s – which went Australia’s way but sparked intense debate. With Bedingham not out, South Africa stand at 121 for 5, trailing by 91 runs. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Jun 12, 2025