AUS 144/8 in 40 Overs, Lead by 218 Runs (Stumps) | South Africa vs Australia ICC WTC 2025 Final Day 2 Highlights: Bowlers Once Again Dominate Topsy-Turvy Day at Lord's

What a day of Test cricket it has been! And bowlers once again have dominated, with 14 wickets going down in the day!  South Africa showed resolve with the bat in the first session but Pat Cummins inspired Australia to a splendid comeback in the game, taking six wickets while also registering 300 wickets in the longest format of the game. Australia gained a slender 74-run lead in the contest and it they would have hoped to produce a solid effort with the bat in hand in their second innings. After a rather steady start provided by Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, the wickets kept tumbling with South Africa coming back into the contest. Kagiso Rabada (3/44) picked up two quick wickets before Lungi Ngidi (3/35) joined him but Australia had a superb fighting partnership between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16*). From 73/7, Australia rose to 134/7 before the former was dismissed. Australia have a lead in excess of 200 runs and chasing it would be pretty tough for South Africa, given how good Australia's pace bowling attack is. We are in for an exciting Day 3 of the ICC WTC 2025 final with both Australia and South Africa giving it their absolute best. 

OUT! Alex Carey has been dismissed and this partnership between him and Mitchell Starc has been broken. Kagiso Rabada struck the left-hander on his pads snd DRS showed no inside edge with the ball hitting the stumps. South Africa have bounced back once again. Alex Carey lbw b Kagiso Rabada 43(50) 

Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey have led the recovery for Australia here. The lead is now past 200 and Australia would be pleased with this effort from both the left-handers. South Africa had Australia reeling at 73/7 at one stage but a partnership in excess of 50 runs between both the players has somewhat brought them back in this contest. 

Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc are out in the middle and Australia will hope that they remain out in the middle towards the close of play today. From South Africa's point of view, they will look to take these three wickets in quick time and chase down the target tomorrow. 

OUT! Lungi Ngidi has struck for a third time today and he has castled Pat Cummins! This has been some collapse by Australia! The delivery was bowled on the leg stump and Pat Cummins attempted a flick but got an edge with the ball crashing into the stumps. South Africa are showing why they are in the ICC WTC final! Pat Cummins b Lungi Ngidi 6(5)

OUT! Wiaan Mulder has taken the big wicket of Travis Head! Australia are staring down at the barrel at 66/6! What a turnaround this day has witnessed and South Africa are well and truly on top here. South Africa now will look to finish off this innings as soon as possible with Australia's lead now being 140 runs! Travis Head b Wiaan Mulder 9(18)

OUT! Lungi Ngidi has struck and he has dismissed Beau Webster, Australia's top-scorer from the first innings! South Africa are turning it on here and they have bounced back in some style! Lungi Ngidi has picked up a second wicket of the day and the Proteas have left Australia reeling! Beau Webster lbw b Lungi Ngidi 9(11)

Travis Head and Beau Webster are out in the middle for Australia and they will look to form a partnership. South Africa have the monemtum now and another wicket will take them well ahead in this contest. 

OUT! Lungi Ngidi has struck and he has provided South Africa with the big, big wicket of Steve Smith! The right-hander was struck on his pads and Temba Bavuma opted for the DRS which showed three reds. A massive wicket in the context of the game and now, Australia are tottering big time! Steve Smith lbw b Lungi Ngidi 13(25) 

OUT! Marco Jansen has struck and he has removed Marnus Labuschagne! The left-arm pacer, who suffered an injury just a little while ago, bowled a full delivery and Marnus Labuschagne, who attempted a drive, nicked one behind. South Africa are back and they will look to make further inroads now. Marnus Labuschagne c Kyle Verreynne b Marco Jansen 22(64)

The post-tea session has started and Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will look to stitch a partnership here. The game is pretty much in the balance here with both teams keeping each other in check. A partnership for Australia will take them ahead in this contest while South Africa would eye a couple of wickets, especially that of Steve Smith.

Tea on Day 2! What a session it has been with South Africa clawing their way back into the contest. Pat Cummins blew away South Africa in the first part of the second session after lunch, bowling out the Proteas for just 138 runs. With a 74-run lead, Australia walked in to bat and Kagiso Rabada gave South Africa a bit of belief by picking up two wickets in one over. The last session promises to be a thrilling one! 

OUT! Kagiso Rabada is carrying from where he left in the first innings as he picks up two wickets in one over! After dismissing Usman Khawaja, he now has Cameron Green get an outside edge towards the slips where Wiaan Mulder took a good catch. Kagiso Rabada has brought South Africa back in this match. Cameron Green c Wiaan Mulder b Kagiso Rabada 0(2)

OUT! Kagiso Rabada has struck and he has given South Africa a ray of hope in this contest! He came round the wicket and induced an edge from Usman Khawaja with Kyle Verreynne taking a good catch behind the stumps. Australia are one down now. Usman Khawaja c Kyle Verreynne b Kagiso Rabada 6(23)

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are off to a steady start in this innings and the two have looked largely untroubled so far. Australia would want this opening partnership to extend ideally for the remainder of the day as they hope to take total control of this Test match. 

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne have begun proceedings for Australia in their second innings and both the batters would look to build up the lead to as much as possible on Day 2. South Africa on their part, need some early wickets to bounce back in this contest. 

OUT! Pat Cummins gets his sixth wicket of the innings and it is also his 300th in Test cricket! What a performer he has been and this time, he dismisses Kagiso Rabada with Beau Webster takes a good catch.  Australia have bowled South Africa for 138 and attained a 74-run lead in the ICC WTC 2025 final. Australia would now look to score as many runs as possible in their second innings which will start soon. Australia have made quick work of this South African innings after the lunch break and we are in for an exciting remainder of the day! Kagiso Rabada c Beau Webster b Pat Cummins 1(6)

OUT! South Africa continue to lose wickets, the latest one being Keshav Maharaj, who fell short of his crease while attempting a double. It was a good throw from Travis Head and Alex Carey does well to take out the stumps in quick time. Australia are all over South Africa and they have made more than an impact in the second session. Keshav Maharaj run out (Travis Head/Alex Carey) 7(15)

OUT! Pat Cummins shows why he is so special as he picks up a five-wicket haul! He has picked up the wicket of David Bedingham who looked solid and now, Australia have South Africa under control. South Africa have lost three wickets in quick time post lunch. David Bedingham c Alex Carey b Pat Cummins 45(111) 

OUT! Pat Cummins has struck once again in the over and this time, it is Marco Jansen who has to depart! The right-hander took a good catch off his own bowling. He did well to get down in time and grab the return catch and Marco Jansen has to depart for a duck. South Africa are under pressure here. Marco Jansen c and b Pat Cummins 0(3)