Can Cummins and Carey Propel Australia to Victory in the WTC Final?
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Synopsis
In a nail-biting contest at Lord's, Australia's Pat Cummins and Alex Carey led their team to a commanding position with exceptional performances on Day Two of the ICC World Test Championship Final. As Australia extends their lead past 200, can they secure the championship?
Key Takeaways
- Pat Cummins achieved a remarkable 6-28 to lead his team to victory.
- Alex Carey played a crucial role with a resilient 43.
- Australia extended their lead to over 200 runs.
- South Africa struggled in their second innings under pressure.
- The match remains unpredictable as both teams can still influence the outcome.
London, June 12 (NationPress) On a thrilling day of Test cricket where 14 wickets fell, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins delivered an outstanding performance with figures of 6-28, while Alex Carey contributed a crucial 43. This combination helped the reigning champions push their lead beyond 200 on the second day of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.
Cummins not only secured a vital 74-run lead for his side by dismissing South Africa for 138, but also celebrated the milestone of reaching 300 Test wickets. Despite impressive performances from Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, who each took three wickets, Carey’s resilient innings—decorated with five boundaries—ensured Australia’s lead surpassed 200.
Starting from a precarious 73/7, Carey’s innings, complemented by a vital 61-run partnership with Mitchell Starc, positioned Australia as favorites to retain the mace, concluding day two at 144/8 in 40 overs.
In the morning session, South Africa began with 43/4 and managed to add 78 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma began aggressively, striking Mitchell Starc for two boundaries. However, he was later trapped lbw by Josh Hazlewood, only to survive after reviews indicated an inside edge.
Bavuma's proactive play saw him score runs off both Starc and Hazlewood, before hitting a six off Cummins. His partnership with David Bedingham was terminated when Bavuma attempted an uppish drive off Cummins, leading to a spectacular catch by Marnus Labuschagne for a score of 36.
In a moment of controversy before lunch, Bedingham appeared to handle the ball, but he then scored two boundaries against Webster, finishing a strong first session for South Africa.
After lunch, Cummins struck again, trapping Kyle Verreynne lbw. He soon added another wicket as Marco Jansen offered a simple catch back to him. Cummins completed his remarkable spell with the dismissal of Bedingham for 45 and later saw Keshav Maharaj run out, leading to South Africa losing their last five wickets for just 18 runs.
Australia's second innings began well, with Marnus Labuschagne hitting boundaries off both Rabada and Jansen. However, Rabada struck twice in one over, dismissing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green for minimal scores.
The final session saw Steve Smith and Labuschagne initially untroubled until Labuschagne was out for a drive off Marco Jansen. Lungi Ngidi continued his success, dismissing Smith and Beau Webster. After some resistance, Carey and Starc managed to push Australia’s lead past 200 despite South Africa's bowling errors.
Brief scores:
Australia 212 and 144/8 in 40 overs (Alex Carey 43, Marnus Labuschagne 22; Lungi Ngidi 3-35, Kagiso Rabada 3-44) lead South Africa 138 all out in 57.1 overs (David Bedingham 45, Temba Bavuma 36; Pat Cummins 6-28, Mitchell Starc 2-41) by 218 runs
Point of View
It’s evident that Australia has established a strong position. The leadership of Pat Cummins and the resilience shown by Alex Carey are crucial for their chances of retaining the championship. South Africa must regroup quickly to challenge effectively.
NationPress
14/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the key performance on Day Two?
Pat Cummins' outstanding spell of 6-28 was pivotal in Australia extending their lead past 200 runs.
How did Alex Carey contribute to the match?
Alex Carey scored a crucial 43 runs, forming important partnerships that helped Australia maintain a strong position.
What was South Africa's score in the first innings?
South Africa was dismissed for 138 runs in their first innings.
What does the lead of 218 runs mean for Australia?
Australia's lead of 218 runs places them in a very favorable position to win the WTC Final.
What are the implications of the match so far?
The current state of the match suggests that Australia is well-placed to retain their title, but South Africa still has a chance to fight back.
