World test championship
London, June 12: Australia inched closer to retaining the World Test Championship mace after a dramatic second day at Lord’s, where 14 wickets tumbled for the second consecutive day, leaving the final finely poised.
After gaining a crucial 74-run first-innings lead, Australia finished Day 2 at 144/8, holding a 218-run overall lead over South Africa in a match that has seen bowlers dominate every session.
It was a day to remember for Pat Cummins, who reached a career milestone of 300 Test wickets with a devastating spell of 6/28, helping Australia bowl out South Africa for just 138. The Proteas, who had earlier bundled out Australia for 212 on Day 1, collapsed in spectacular fashion after lunch on Day 2, losing their last five wickets for 12 runs in just 5.5 overs.
However, South Africa didn’t back down. Kagiso Rabada, who took 5/51 in the first innings, came roaring back to dismiss Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in the same over of Australia’s second innings. He later added the wicket of Alex Carey (43) to finish with 3/44 for the day, moving past Allan Donald to become fourth on South Africa’s all-time wicket-takers list.
Rabada’s fiery pace was matched by Lungi Ngidi, whose inspired spell claimed three key wickets, including that of Steve Smith (13). At one stage, Australia was tottering at 73/7, before a vital 61-run eighth-wicket stand between Carey and Mitchell Starc (16 not out) gave the innings a much-needed boost.
The match had already promised drama from Day 1, with Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) rescuing Australia from 67/4 through a gritty 79-run fifth-wicket partnership. Their efforts, however, were undone as the Australian tail collapsed for just 18 more runs, thanks largely to Rabada’s fiery burst.
South Africa’s response with the bat on the opening day was equally underwhelming. Mitchell Starc and Cummins inflicted early blows, while Josh Hazlewood cleaned up Tristan Stubbs. Aiden Markram fell for a duck, undone by a searing yorker, while Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder also perished cheaply. Only Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, who were unbeaten overnight, showed some resistance.
The contest, played under varying Lord’s conditions—from gloomy skies to bursts of sunshine—has been a bowlers’ paradise. With the match likely to be decided on Day 3, and the pitch offering consistent assistance to seamers, the final remains wide open—though momentum, and history, seems to favour the Australians.
For South Africa, chasing their first ICC title of the 21st century, it’s a test of resolve. For Australia, one more strong bowling effort could seal back-to-back WTC titles and cement their dominance in the longest format. (PTI)