Did Australia Create Mental Pressure on South Africa in WTC Final?
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Synopsis
Australia's resilience in the WTC final puts South Africa under pressure as they chase a hefty target. Mitchell Starc's performance and the last-wicket stand have shifted the game's dynamics. Can South Africa rise to the challenge?
Key Takeaways
- Mitchell Starc scored an unbeaten 58, crucial for Australia's total.
- The last-wicket partnership added significant runs, shifting game dynamics.
- South Africa now faces a challenging target of 282 runs.
- The match's mental aspect plays a critical role in the outcome.
- Australia's lower-order resilience is key to their strategy.
New Delhi, June 13 (NationPress) Mitchell Starc’s steady half-century and a determined 59-run stand with Josh Hazlewood at the last wicket have compelled South Africa to chase a daunting target of 282 in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, London, on Friday.
While Starc’s unbeaten 58 was crucial in elevating Australia to 207 in their second innings, it was the tenacity of the final-wicket duo that significantly altered the momentum, causing frustration for South Africa and shifting the psychological balance.
On the show Cricket Live, expert Sanjay Bangar stressed the impact of Australia’s lower-order resilience: "Starc and Hazlewood exhibited remarkable faith in their defensive techniques… Ultimately, their application was impressive. Now, South Africa faces a target of 281, which is likely 30–40 runs more than they would have preferred," Bangar pointed out, emphasizing how the final-wicket partnership may have inflated South Africa’s target beyond their comfort zone.
Starc, who was dropped on 14 during the final over of day two, made South Africa regret it significantly. On a bright third morning, where the pitch became more favorable for batting, he added 44 more runs calmly, marking his first Test fifty since 2019.
He reached this milestone with a thick edge that sailed over the slips, capturing the streaky yet effective essence of his innings. Hazlewood was the perfect partner, holding firm at the other end for 22.2 overs, creating a historic tenth-wicket stand—the highest ever in any men’s ICC championship final.
Bangar lauded Starc’s simplicity and mental clarity: "Starc possesses a well-organized technique… He wasn’t overthinking; this could be the most valuable of his 11 Test half-centuries."
He also pointed out the strain this partnership placed on South Africa: "It consumed a lot of mental energy. Keeping South Africa on the field longer has undoubtedly created mental challenges in their setup."
From South Africa’s viewpoint, Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack with figures of 4-59, supported by Lungi Ngidi’s 3-38. However, their bowling lacked the sharpness needed to quickly dismiss the tail-enders. The 22 extras, including 10 no-balls, added to the pressure.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden echoed Bangar’s sentiments, highlighting the bravery of the tail-enders: "That was a crucial tail-end performance… Rabada bowled his heart out, but this stand has shifted the dynamics. To chase 282, the top three South African batsmen must rise to the occasion. It will demand courage and clarity."
South Africa now faces a chase that would require achieving the joint-second highest successful fourth-innings target at Lord’s.
Point of View
It is clear that Australia's lower-order resilience has not only set a challenging target for South Africa but also imposed significant psychological pressure. The match dynamics have shifted, and it will be interesting to see how South Africa responds.
NationPress
14/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the target set for South Africa by Australia?
Australia set a target of 282 runs for South Africa to chase in the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Who played a crucial role in Australia's innings?
Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role by scoring an unbeaten 58 runs, along with a significant last-wicket partnership with Josh Hazlewood.
How did the last-wicket partnership affect South Africa?
The last-wicket partnership frustrated South Africa and increased their target by approximately 30–40 runs, creating mental pressure.
What was significant about Starc's performance?
Starc's performance included his first Test half-century since 2019, showcasing his mental clarity and well-organized technique.
What challenges does South Africa face in their chase?
South Africa faces the challenge of achieving the joint-second highest successful fourth-innings target at Lord's, requiring strong performances from their top-order batters.
