Starc becomes highest wicket-taker in ICC finals

Australia’s Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of South African Ryan Rickleton on day 1 of the WTC final at Lords on June 11, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP Australia’s pace ace Mitchell Starc added another feather to his cap on Wednesday (June 11, 2025), becoming the highest wicket-taker in ICC tournament finals. The left-arm quick achieved the milestone during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s. Starc, playing in his fifth ICC final, has now taken 11 wickets across tournament deciders, surpassing India’s Mohammed Shami, who had claimed 10 wickets in four finals. The record further cements Starc’s reputation as a big-match performer for Australia. The milestone came in style as Starc struck early in South Africa’s second innings, cleaning up Aiden Markram for a duck. He followed it up with the dismissal of Ryan Rickelton for 16, ending Day 1 with figures of 2/10 in a fiery spell. He also became the joint second-highest wicket taker in ICC knockout games. He is sharing the spot with former Aussie legend Glenn McGrath and Mohammed Shami, who each have taken 22 wickets. The top spot is with former Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 23 wickets. His efforts helped Australia put South Africa under pressure, reducing the Proteas to 43/4 at stumps. Trailing by 169 runs, South Africa will face an uphill task when play resumes on Day 2, with Starc expected to continue his assault on a responsive Lord’s surface. Australia had earlier been bowled out for 212 in their first innings, with Kagiso Rabada leading South Africa’s charge with a five-wicket haul but Starc’s early breakthroughs ensured Australia clawed back momentum by the close of play. Starc will be eager to extend his record and guide Australia closer to securing their second WTC title. Published – June 12, 2025 10:13 am IST

Australia’s Pat Cummins celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada. | Photo Credit: Reuters Australia captain Pat Cummins produced a sensational spell of four wickets for just one run as the title-holders seized control of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on Thursday (June 12, 2025). South Africa were bowled out for 138 in reply to Australia’s first-innings 212 on the second day with the 30-year-old Cummins finishing with final figures of 6-28 as he went to 300 career Test wickets South Africa lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs, with a comedy run out not helping their cause, as Cummins ripped through the lower order on his way to a 14th five-wicket haul in 68 Tests and first at Lord’s. Only South Africa captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) offered meaningful resistance during a fifth-wicket stand of 64. South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada had taken a fine 5-51 on Wednesday but his efforts were eclipsed by Cummins. After lunch, the Australian skipper took four for one in just 17 balls of devastating pace bowling. South Africa had resumed on Thursday at 43-4, battling to put enough runs on the board. The diminutive Bavuma, having taken 37 balls for his overnight three not out, changed gears as he struck a superb lofted cover-drive off left-arm quick Starc for four and later pulled Cummins for a sparkling six. But Cummins had his revenge when Bavuma’s checked drive was brilliantly caught at cover by a diving Marnus Labuschagne. In the last over before lunch, Bedingham struck two fours in three balls off all-rounder Beau webster to take South Africa to 121-5. But wickets tumbled early in the second session, with Cummins taking claiming two scalps in an over. He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for 13 and three balls later held a simple return catch as Marco Jansen fell for a duck, with South Africa now reduced 126-7. Cummins then had Bedingham caught behind to end a 111-ball innings before Keshav Maharaj was needlessly run out. The pacemen then hit rival quick Rabada on the arm and helmet with bouncers from around the wicket before ending the innings with his 300th Test wicket when opposing quick Rabada was well caught low down at deep square leg by Beau Webster. Published – June 12, 2025 10:13 am IST