Australia Secures First-Innings Lead Against South Africa in World Test Championship Final
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, produced a stunning performance on day two of the World Test Championship final, taking six wickets in a remarkable spell to help his team secure a first-innings lead against South Africa at Lord’s. According to Fox Sports, Cummins claimed 6-28 from 18.1 overs, his best bowling figures in an away Test, as the Proteas were rolled for 138.
The Australian skipper’s performance was the best bowling by a Test captain at the Home of Cricket, and it also marked a significant milestone for Cummins, as he took his 300th Test scalp, becoming just the eighth Australian to achieve the feat. “It’s way more than I could have asked for,” Cummins said of the milestone. “For any fast bowler, 300 is a big number. It means you’ve battled a few injuries and niggles and got through it. Pretty happy,” he added, as quoted by Fox Sports.
South Africa’s batters had started the day positively, with captain Temba Bavuma smashing two lofted drives towards the boundary in a Mitchell Starc over. However, the breakthrough came when Bavuma departed for 36 after spooning a cover drive towards Marnus Labuschagne, who held onto a diving chance low to his right. David Bedingham combined with Bavuma for a 64-run partnership, but runs dried up following the drinks break.
The afternoon session was delayed by ten minutes due to rain, but Cummins struck twice in the 52nd over to expose South Africa’s tail. Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne was dismissed LBW for 13 following a successful review from the Australians, while all-rounder Marco Jansen chipped a return catch back to Cummins for a third-ball duck. The double breakthrough prompted a frantic collapse of 5-12 from 35 balls as Cummins cleaned up South Africa’s fragile lower order in an epic post-lunch blitz.
Cummins peppered rival Kagiso Rabada with a flurry of bouncers — including a bumper that struck him on the helmet — before the South African top-edged a pull shot towards deep square leg, where all-rounder Beau Webster held onto a superb low catch near the rope. The New South Welshman’s performance cemented his place on the Lord’s Honours Board.
In response, Australia is 4-48, leading by 122 runs. Australian openers Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja added 28 runs before Rabada struck twice in the penultimate over of the afternoon session to bring South Africa back into the contest — Khawaja nicked behind for 6 before Cameron Green, who only lasted three deliveries in the first innings, edged towards the slips cordon for a second-ball duck.
As reported by Fox Sports, the following over, South Africa successfully overturned an LBW shout against vice-captain Steve Smith to put the match back in the balance, with quick Lungi Ngidi unearthing the crucial breakthrough.
The match is evenly poised, with Australia holding a slender lead. The session times for the remainder of the match are as follows: morning session 7:30-9:30pm, lunch 9:30-10:10pm, afternoon session 10:10pm-12:10am, tea 12:10-12:30am, and evening session 12:30-2:30am. Fans can watch live streaming on Amazon.
In conclusion, Pat Cummins’ remarkable performance on day two of the World Test Championship final has given Australia a first-innings lead against South Africa. The match is evenly poised, and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the game unfolds. As Fox Sports continues to provide live updates, fans can stay tuned for more information on the match.
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