WTC Final 2025 Live: AUS on cusp of all out against SA

Australia vs South Africa Live Score, ICC WTC Final 2025: Day 2 of the World Test Championship Final astatine Lord’s witnessed much bonzer play arsenic Australia clawed backmost control, ending astatine 144/8 successful their 2nd innings with a pb of 218. With 28 wickets falling successful conscionable 2 days, the Test appears headed for an aboriginal finish—well earlier its scheduled Day 5.

The time began with South Africa astatine 43/4, and though Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) stitched unneurotic a little absorption worthy 64 runs, it was Australia skipper Pat Cummins who stole the show. Cummins produced a singular spell of 4 wickets for 1 tally post-lunch, dismantling South Africa for 138. He finished with 6-28 and claimed his 300th Test wicket, etching his sanction connected the Lord’s honours board.

But Australia’s 2nd innings soon descended into chaos. Kagiso Rabada removed Khawaja and Green successful the aforesaid over, portion Lungi Ngidi bowled a fiery spell that accounted for Cummins and Webster, leaving Australia tottering astatine 73/7.

Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc past mounted a captious eighth-wicket basal of 61. Carey’s composed 43 was vital, but helium fell to Rabada conscionable earlier stumps. Starc remained unbeaten connected 16 and was fortunate to past erstwhile Marco Jansen dropped a sitter successful the day’s last over.

Australia’s pb whitethorn already beryllium decisive, but South Africa volition judge that speedy wickets connected Day 3 could inactive support them alive. The transportation has offered bounce and seam, but not excessively so—raising questions astir batting techniques from some sides.

Earlier, Cummins’ fiery burst tore done South Africa’s little order, claiming the last 5 wickets for conscionable 12 runs. His dismissal of Bavuma, Verreynne, Jansen, and Rabada successful speedy succession underlined his mastery successful favourable conditions. South Africa’s innings crumbled from 126/5 to 138 each out.

Australia’s attack to gathering connected their slender first-innings pb of 74 was assertive but flawed. Beau Webster, their first-innings apical scorer, fell lbw to Ngidi, portion Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith besides perished without converting starts.

Despite the carnage, Australia’s 218-run vantage heading into Day 3 could beryllium pivotal. Yet, with conscionable 2 wickets successful hand, the borderline for mistake remains slim. One much time of gripping cricket awaits earlier the baton passes to South Africa’s batters for the last act.