LORD’S — Australia captain Pat Cummins delivered a stunning spell of pace bowling on Thursday to seize the initiative in a volatile World Test Championship final against South Africa, helping his side build a 218-run lead by stumps on Day 2.
Cummins tore through South Africa’s middle and lower order with figures of 6-28, reaching the 300-wicket milestone and earning a coveted spot on the Lord’s honours board. His inspired spell saw four wickets fall for just one run, as South Africa collapsed from 126-5 to 138 all out, in reply to Australia’s modest 212.
“He does it time and time again,” said teammate Mitchell Starc. “To go to 300 in a final, and at Lord’s — it’s a special effort.”
But the drama didn’t end there. Australia’s second innings also saw a rapid collapse, this time slumping to 73-7, as Kagiso Rabada (3-44) and Lungi Ngidi (3-35) tore through the top and middle order. Only a defiant 61-run partnership between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16)* restored some stability.
Carey eventually fell lbw to Rabada, and Australia closed on 144-8, giving them a precarious but potentially match-winning lead on a pitch where 28 wickets have fallen in just two days.
Cummins’ Game-Changing Spell
South Africa had resumed on 43-4, and a gritty partnership between Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) brought brief stability. But Cummins returned after lunch to rip the heart out of the batting line-up:
- Bavuma was caught brilliantly by Labuschagne.
- Verreynne fell lbw for 13.
- Jansen offered a return catch for a duck.
- Rabada was the final wicket, caught by Webster at deep square leg.
“The quality and skills he has… I’m thrilled for him,” Starc added.
Top-Order Mayhem Again
In Australia’s second innings, Rabada struck twice in one over, dismissing Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0). Labuschagne (22) and first-innings top-scorer Beau Webster (4) also departed quickly, as Australia’s batting again faltered under pressure.
Ngidi delivered the ball of the day to dismiss Cummins with a searing yorker, but Carey’s composed innings, despite the crumbling top order, offered resistance. He fell just before stumps, and Starc was dropped on 14 in the final over, leaving Australia clinging to a crucial lead.
What Next?
Despite being behind, South Africa’s Ngidi remained optimistic:
“Two wickets in hand, if we can knock those over and maybe chase 225, people are going to get their money’s worth.”
But on a surface that has seen unpredictable bounce and swing, the final result remains finely balanced. With three days left but wickets tumbling fast, the WTC final could conclude well ahead of schedule — and in dramatic fashion.
