A low-scoring World Test Championship last was heading to an exciting conclusion after Australia took a 74-run first-innings lead earlier than being diminished to 144-8 by South Africa by the shut of Day 2 at Lord’s on Thursday (June 12, 2025).
It was a landmark day for Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took 6-28 to get to 300 wickets in his check profession and dismiss the Proteas for 138 following a whirlwind hour after lunch when the Baggy Greens claimed South Africa’s final 5 batters for 12 runs in 5.5 overs.
A check dominated by tempo bowling continued in that vein in Australia’s second innings, with Kagiso Rabada — who took 5-51 to assist limit the Australians to 212 all out on Day 1 — once more eradicating Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in a single over earlier than Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, together with dangerman Steve Smith (13), in an impressed spell.
Tottering at 73-7, Australia managed to rebuild within the last hour through a vital eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out). Rabada (3-44) trapped Carey lbw in one other twist within the next-to-last over on the house of cricket as 14 wickets tumbled for the second straight day.
Australia led by 218 going into the third and probably last day of the third version of check cricket’s huge new showpiece in its bid to retain the mace.
South Africa is looking for its first ICC trophy in any format this century.
“Obviously, we’re really in a good position now,” Ngidi stated. “Two balls could wrap it up for us.
“If we are chasing anything under 230, it won’t be easy with the bowling lineup they have but we’d like to give ourselves the best chance of that.”
The Australians may additionally suppose they’re in a great spot — and that was largely right down to their captain.
After South Africa resumed on 43-4, Cummins took 5 of the ultimate six wickets — the opposite was a run-out — to say the perfect bowling figures by a captain at Lord’s. He grew to become the eighth Aussie to get to 300 wickets.
“It’s way more than I could’ve asked for,” the understated skipper stated. “For any fast bowler, 300 is a big number — it means you’ve battled a few injuries and niggles and got through it. I’m pretty happy.”
Cummins’ exploits meant South Africa slumped from 126-5 to 138 all out in exactly 40 minutes after lunch.
Only 4 batters acquired into double figures and solely two above 20 — captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45).
“I don’t think he ever misses,” Bedingham stated of Cummins. “There is always energy in every ball he bowls. He bowled 18 overs and his energy from over one to 18 was the same. He has a good bouncer and all the skills you need. He is world class.”
In Australia’s second innings, there was redemption for Carey in a few methods.
This was his first check look at Lord’s since that memorable Ashes match two years in the past when Carey and the Australians have been roundly and loudly abused by the gang — and within the Long Room by Marylebone Cricket Club members — after his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow, who had wandered out of his crease with out checking if the ball was useless.
And on Wednesday, Carey missed a reverse sweep in opposition to Keshav Maharaj, loosening Australia’s management and beginning a late-innings collapse of 5-20.
He made partial amends with a big knock of 43 simply as his staff was creaking and giving up the benefit to the Proteas in a match that swung from side to side. He crashed 5 fours in a 50-ball cameo that knocked South Africa out of its stride, even when only for an hour.
Starc was nonetheless within the center at stumps — alongside Nathan Lyon (1) — however solely as a result of Marco Jansen dropped a regulation catch at gully off Wiaan Mulder within the final over.
Bedingham stated it was “an amazing day of cricket.”
“When they started batting in the third innings, we would have taken them at what is effectively 220-8,” he stated. “We are confident and there is massive belief in this team.”
Published – June 12, 2025 10:13 am IST
