The second day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, played on June 12, 2025, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Test cricket as the game kept swinging from one end to another like a pendulum. Alex Carey stood tall from one end after Australia were in a precarious position at 73-7
Australia ended the day in a commanding position, leading by 218 runs with two wickets in hand, but South Africa’s spirited bowling performance ensured the match remained finely poised. With 14 wickets falling for 239 runs in 75.1 overs, Day 2 was a testament to the dominance of bowlers and the resilience of lower-order batsmen.
South Africa’s First Innings: A Dramatic Collapse
South Africa began Day 2 at 43/4, trailing Australia’s first innings total of 212 by 169 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) resumed with cautious optimism, having forged a 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Their stand provided a glimmer of hope for the Proteas, who were desperate to close the gap and avoid a significant first-innings deficit.
However, the morning session belonged to Australia’s bowlers, particularly Pat Cummins, who delivered a masterclass in fast bowling. Bavuma’s resistance was ended when he was caught by Marnus Labuschagne off Nathan Lyon, triggering a collapse that saw South Africa lose their last six wickets for just 55 runs. Bedingham, who looked composed, fell soon after, and the middle order crumbled under relentless pressure.
Cummins was the architect of South Africa’s downfall, finishing with figures of 6/28 in 18.1 overs, including six maidens. His spell was not only devastating but also historic, as he reached his 300th Test wicket, becoming the fifth-fastest to achieve the milestone in terms of balls bowled (13,725). Cummins also etched his name in Lord’s history as the first visiting captain to take a five-wicket haul at the venue, with his 6/28 being the best figures by a Test captain at the ground.
Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj fell cheaply, unable to counter Australia’s pace attack. South Africa was bowled out for 138, conceding a first-innings lead of 74 runs to Australia. The conditions, with the ball moving significantly under overcast skies, played into the hands of Australia’s bowlers, but their precision and discipline were key to exploiting the pitch.
Australia’s Second Innings: From Peril to Recovery
With a 74-run lead, Australia began their second innings cautiously, aware of the challenging batting conditions. The Lord’s pitch, combined with the Dukes ball, continued to offer movement, making strokeplay difficult. Usman Khawaja, opening the batting, was dismissed for a duck, caught behind off Kagiso Rabada’s fiery bowling. Marnus Labuschagne, promoted to number three, scored 22 before being bowled by Marco Jansen. Steve Smith, who had scored 66 in the first innings, managed only 13 before falling to Lungi Ngidi, while Travis Head was dismissed for 9 by Wiaan Mulder.
At 73/7, Australia was in deep trouble, having lost five wickets for just 45 runs. South Africa’s bowlers, sensing an opportunity to claw their way back into the match, applied relentless pressure. However, a crucial 61-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc turned the tide.
Carey played a composed knock of 43 off 50 balls, blending caution with aggression, while Starc, unbeaten on 16 off 47 balls, provided stubborn resistance. Their partnership, at a run rate of 4.31, was a lifeline for Australia, helping them reach 144/8 by stumps and extend their lead to 218 runs.
Nathan Lyon, unbeaten on 1, joined Starc at the crease, with Australia still having two wickets in hand. The Carey-Starc stand was pivotal, not only in terms of runs but also in frustrating South Africa’s bowlers, who missed several chances, including two dropped catches off Starc, one by Marco Jansen in the final over of the day.
South Africa’s Bowling: Fightback Marred by Errors
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, mounted a spirited fightback in Australia’s second innings. Rabada, who had taken 5/51 in the first innings, continued his fine form, finishing with 3/44 in 11 overs.
Kagiso Rabada’s ability to generate movement and induce edges was evident, but his performance was marred by five no-balls on Day 2, contributing to South Africa’s staggering total of 19 no-balls in the match. Rabada’s dismissal of Carey, trapped lbw, was a key moment, but South Africa’s fielding lapses allowed Australia to escape further damage.
Lungi Ngidi, returning after a 10-month injury layoff, was equally impressive, taking 3/35 in a nine-over spell. His accuracy and pace troubled Australia’s batsmen, particularly in the middle session, where he dismissed Smith and contributed to Australia’s collapse to 73/7. Wiaan Mulder chipped in with the wicket of Travis Head, finishing with 1/14 in six overs, while Marco Jansen claimed one wicket.
Despite their efforts, South Africa’s bowling was undermined by fielding errors and no-balls. The dropped catches, particularly of Starc, could prove costly, as could their wastage of both DRS reviews early in the innings. Marco Jansen, despite nursing an injury, continued to bowl, but his dropped catch in the final over epitomized South Africa’s struggles in the field.
Key Moments and Controversies
Day 2 was not without its share of drama, with several incidents adding to the match’s intensity:
- Bavuma’s Disputed Dismissal: Temba Bavuma’s lbw dismissal sparked controversy when replays suggested an inside-edge before the ball hit the pad. However, the on-field decision stood, as the review was inconclusive, leaving South Africa frustrated.
- Obstructing the Field Appeal: An appeal for obstructing the field was made against David Bedingham when he backed up too far while running. The umpires ruled it not out, sparing Bedingham further scrutiny.
- Cummins-Verreynne Collision: A peculiar incident occurred when Pat Cummins and Kyle Verreynne collided while attempting to take a catch. During an lbw review, Cummins accidentally hit the leg stump with his hand, but the review was unsuccessful, as the ball was deemed to be missing the stumps.
These moments underscored the high stakes of the WTC Final, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for every advantage.
Match Context and Conditions
The Lord’s pitch, combined with the Dukes ball and overcast conditions, made batting a formidable challenge. The ball moved significantly, with bowlers from both sides exploiting the seam and swing. The match saw a total of 28 wickets fall in six sessions, with 14 wickets tumbling on each of the first two days. This bowler-dominated contest highlighted the skill and resilience required to succeed in such conditions.
South Africa’s no-ball count was a significant concern, with Rabada and Jansen combining for eight front-foot no-balls in Australia’s second innings. This not only cost them extra runs but also disrupted their momentum at critical junctures. Australia, on the other hand, maintained discipline with the ball, with Cummins leading by example.
Current Standings and Outlook
At the end of Day 2, Australia holds a commanding lead of 218 runs with two wickets remaining. South Africa faces a daunting task, needing to chase a target that would be the fourth-highest successful chase in Lord’s history. Historically, Day 3 at Lord’s offers better batting conditions, which could give South Africa a slight chance if they can bowl Australia out quickly.
Australia’s bowling attack, led by Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, will aim to wrap up the innings early on Day 3 and set a challenging target. South Africa, under pressure to end a 27-year ICC trophy drought, will need an extraordinary batting effort to stay in the contest. The match remains finely poised, with the potential for further twists and turns.
Day 2 of the WTC Final 2025 was a captivating display of Test cricket, with bowlers from both sides dominating proceedings. Australia’s 218-run lead gives them a significant advantage, but South Africa’s bowling fightback and the prospect of better batting conditions on Day 3 keep the match alive. As the teams prepare for the next day, fans can anticipate more drama in this high-stakes battle for the WTC mace.
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