Lungi Ngidi

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South Africa well-placed in WTC final: Lungi Ngidi confident despite Australia’s 218-run lead

Danijones2 days ago05 mins

Lungi Ngidi believes South Africa are “in a very good position” despite trailing Australia by 218 runs at the end of Day 2 of the low-scoring World Test Championship final at Lord’s. With Australia stumbling to 144 for 8 in their second innings, the Proteas fast bowler is confident his side can wrap up the tail early on Day 3 and set themselves up for a title-winning chase. Speaking after stumps, Ngidi was upbeat about South Africa’s performance. “We’re still very much in the game. They bowled well, but we had a job to do and we stuck to it,” he said. “The coach reminded us to play with conviction-if you’re going to go out, go out on your own terms. You could be the one to turn the match.” Ngidi, who took three key wickets—including Steve Smith and Pat Cummins—admitted to struggling for rhythm early in the match but said he found his groove after tea on the second day. “In the first innings, there was no rhythm—it felt like I was fighting myself. After tea, I told myself to settle into a spell. Once it started clicking, I just kept going,” he explained. “The crowd chanting my name gave me that extra bit of energy. It really helped push me through a long spell.” | WTC final AUS vs SA Day 2 Highlights | After Australia posted 212 in the first innings, their bowlers, led by Cummins, took control. South Africa were bowled out for 138 despite a promising 64-run partnership between Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, who top-scored with 45. Cummins delivered a devastating spell after lunch, finishing with 6 for 28-his best Test figures as captain and the best by any captain at Lord’s. He also claimed his 300th Test wicket during the innings. In response, South Africa’s seamers hit back hard. Rabada struck twice before tea, removing Khawaja and Green. After the break, Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder joined in, dismantling the middle order to reduce Australia to 73 for 7. Only a spirited 43 from Alex Carey and a 61-run stand with Mitchell Starc steadied the innings, pushing the lead past 200. Rabada eventually trapped Carey lbw late in the day. Ngidi was confident that South Africa’s bowlers could finish the job early on the third day, removing the final two Australian wickets and keeping the target below 230. “If we can keep it under 230, we’ve got a chance. It won’t be easy against their bowling attack, but we’ll back ourselves.” Only nine Tests in England have seen the side batting fourth post the highest total, with just three resulting in victory-the most recent being England’s dramatic chase at Headingley in 2019. At Lord’s, targets over 200 have been successfully chased just four times, and only once since 2005. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Jun 12, 2025

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