WTC Final 2025: Australia Take Command as Cummins Shines with 6-for and 300th Wicket
LORD’S, JUNE 12 – Australia tightened their grip on the World Test Championship Final 2023–2025 against South Africa, ending Day 2 with a 218-run lead in a match dominated by bowlers and drama. Pat Cummins starred with a historic performance, claiming 6 wickets for 28 runs and reaching the 300-wicket milestone in Tests.
Australia 212 & 144/8 | South Africa 138
Australia Lead by 218 Runs with Two Wickets Remaining
The second day at Lord’s Cricket Ground was nothing short of sensational. Another 14 wickets fell, matching the first day’s carnage and bringing the total to 28 dismissals in six sessions—a rare sight in modern Test cricket.
Cummins Breaks Records with 6-for & 300 Test Wickets
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins etched his name into the history books as he became the first visiting captain to take a five-wicket haul at Lord’s. He also became the eighth Australian to reach the 300-wicket landmark in Test cricket.
Cummins’ fiery spell blew away the South African middle order, helping restrict them to 138 in the first innings, giving Australia a crucial 74-run lead.
“This was a masterclass in fast bowling,” said a commentator on air. “Six maidens, pinpoint accuracy, and big-match temperament from Cummins.”
🇿🇦 Bavuma-Bedingham Resistance Not Enough
South Africa resumed the day at 43/4, with captain Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham trying to revive the innings. The pair added a gritty 64-run partnership, highlighted by Bavuma’s elegant drives and a towering six off Cummins.
However, Bavuma’s dismissal—thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Marnus Labuschagne—triggered a collapse. South Africa lost 5 wickets for 12 runs, with Cummins running riot. Bedingham top-scored with 45 but was eventually caught behind off Cummins.
A moment of controversy also arose when Bedingham dropped the ball after contact with his pad, leading to a brief appeal for obstructing the field. The umpires ruled it a dead ball.
Australia’s Top Order Crumbles Again
Despite a healthy first-innings lead, Australia’s batting woes continued. The top three—Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Cameron Green—could only muster 49 runs combined across two innings, their worst collective performance since 1890.
South African pacers Kagiso Rabada (3/44) and Lungi Ngidi (3/35) exploited the conditions beautifully. Ngidi, in particular, struck with a searing yorker to remove Cummins and trap key middle-order batters LBW.
Carey & Starc’s Crucial Partnership
When Australia were 73/7, South Africa sensed an opening. But Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc halted their momentum with a brisk 61-run stand for the eighth wicket, scoring at 4.31 runs per over.
Rabada finally got Carey LBW in an over filled with no-balls, while Jansen dropped Starc at gully in the final moments—possibly a game-changing lapse.
Day 2 Summary: Stats & Highlights
- Pat Cummins: 6/28 in 18.1 overs, 6 maidens
- Cummins reaches 300 Test wickets
- South Africa 138 all out, trail by 74 in first innings
- Carey-Starc stand rescues Australia from collapse
- 28 wickets have fallen in just two days
FAQs
Q1: Who is leading in the WTC Final after Day 2?
Australia leads by 218 runs with 2 wickets in hand in their second innings.
Q2: Who was the top performer on Day 2?
Pat Cummins with 6 wickets and a milestone 300th Test scalp.
Q3: Can South Africa still win?
Yes, but it would require their best-ever chase at Lord’s against a world-class attack.
Q4: What went wrong with Australia’s top order?
Poor shot selection and quality seam bowling saw the top three score just 49 runs across both innings.
What’s Next?
Australia enter Day 3 with a significant advantage, but with only two wickets left and their top-order misfiring, South Africa still have an outside chance provided they chase one of the highest totals in Lord’s history.