LONDON, June 12 – Australia maintained their grip on the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa with a commanding performance on Day 2 at Lord’s.
Cummins’ Devastation:
Skipper Pat Cummins was the star of the day, claiming 6-28, including a spell of 4 wickets for 1 run, as South Africa were skittled out for 138 in response to Australia’s first-innings 212. The fiery spell included his 300th Test wicket, securing him a spot on the prestigious Lord’s honours board.
Carey’s Counterattack:
Australia then collapsed to 73-7 in their second innings, courtesy of Kagiso Rabada (3-44) and Lungi Ngidi (3-35). But Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out)* shared a gritty 61-run eighth-wicket stand, pushing Australia to 144-8 at stumps, leading by 218 runs — a potentially match-defining margin.
Pitch and Match Outlook:
With 28 wickets falling in just two days, the surface has proven tricky but not impossible. A match slated for five days might wrap up on Day 3.
South Africa’s Resistance:
Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) briefly steadied the Proteas with a 64-run fifth-wicket stand, but Cummins’ rampage after lunch wiped out the tail.
🧾 Score Snapshot
- Australia 1st Innings: 212 (Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5-51)
- South Africa 1st Innings: 138 (Bedingham 45; Cummins 6-28)
- Australia 2nd Innings: 144-8 (Carey 43; Rabada & Ngidi 3 wickets each)
- Lead: Australia by 218 runs
- Day 3 Outlook: Australia with upper hand; result likely within three days.
