WTC Final 2025: Australia at Driving Seat, head to South Africa by 218 in Stums on Day 2 | Cricket news

Australia has maintained its advantage in the final of the world testing championship against South Africa in Lord’s Thursday, led by the exceptional performance of Captain Pat Cummins and the 43 races of Alex Carey. Despite a dramatic collapse that saw Australia reduced to 73-7 in the second round, they ended the day at 144-8, establishing a substantial advance of 218 points.Pat Cummins delivered a remarkable spell, taking four counters for a single round while South Africa was overthrown for 138 in response to the first Australian total of 212. Cummins finished with impressive figures of 6-28, reaching the trace of 300 test counters.The second day experienced a burst of counters, with 28 layoffs in both teams on land that offered aid to quick quantities but remained playable. The match, initially scheduled for five days, could potentially end before the end of the third day. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi led the Bowling attack in South Africa in the second round in Australia. Rabada, who had already claimed 5-51 in the first round, continued his high performance with 3-44, while Ngidi contributed with 3-35.

Captain of South Africa Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham provided the only substantial resistance during their first rounds, sharing a fifth 64 -point window partnership. Bavuma scored 36 years while Bedingham contributed 45.Australian collapse started when Rabada rejected Usman Khawaja for six and Cameron Green for a duck in the 11th. Green’s brief appearance only led to four five -ball points on both heats. Marnus Labuschagne, during his beginnings as an opening match of the test, was captured for 22 on Marco Jansen. Beautiful Webster, who had the best score with 72 in the first round in Australia, fell LBW in Ngidi, reducing Australia to 48-4.

The situation worsened for Australia when Cummins was upset by the Yorker of Ngidi, leaving them at 73-7. However, Carey and Mitchell Starc set up a recovery, sharing a 61 -point Highway partnership before Carey was rejected LBW by Rabada. The final of the day saw a missed opportunity when Jansen abandoned Starc, then out of 14, off the bowling of Wiaan Mulder. Starc remained unbeaten on 16 at Stumps.The performance of the exceptional bowling of Cummins has earned him a place for the Lord’s board of directors. His reception was notably different from two years ago when he faced hoots following a controversial incident on Carey and Jonny Bairstow during an ash test.The match remains ready with Australia on the front, holding a 228 -point lead with two remaining counters in the second round.