14 wickets fall AGAIN as South Africa star exposes Australia’s bold WTC final experiment ...Middle East

Test cricket is supposed to ebb and flow but Australia v South Africa has been a slugfest that wouldn’t look out of place at Wrestlemania.

A slugtest, if you like.

Fourteen wickets fell on day one at Lord’s and it was a case of ‘same again’ today with another 14 blown away to set up the possibility of an all-time thriller to decide the 2025 World Test Championship.

And for the third time in the match it was a two wicket over that turned everything on its head.

Incredibly it was the two batters from the first innings that were involved and the same bowler as Kagiso Rabada reduced Australia to 28/2 and breathed life back into a contest that seemed to be heading in the direction of a comfortable victory for the Aussies.

For at that point they led by 112 runs after Pat Cummins (6/28) had proven once again he bows down to no other bowler in Test cricket going past 300 Test wickets & back on the Lord’s honours board with a phenomenal spell of bowling.

He emphatically closed the lid on a South Africa comeback that had started by them only losing one wicket in the morning session.

At lunch it seemed like South Africa might have enough to make this a one-innings game.  Which is the most they could have dreamt for after being 4/43 overnight.

With a renewed sense of purpose and with DRS going their way this time they fashioned many more scoring opportunities than on day one.

Bavuma was on 17 when he was struck flush on the pad by Josh Hazlewood.  The bowler, not known for his excessive appeals, barely turned to look at the umpire who duly raised a finger. 

The South African captain took a while to review and seemed as surprised as anyone when Ultra Edge picked up a small nick.

Both overnight batters got through the first hour with a pickup pull shot for six by Bavuma (36) slapped into the stands over square leg, the highlight as he got one over his opposite number.

The Aussie skipper laughed longer though a few overs later with Labuschagne diving well to his right to scoop up a chance at extra cover.

That brought the last recognised batter to the crease in Verreynne (13). 

The keeper has played in all seven of Nottinghamshire’s matches this season but like Gloucestershire’s Cameron Green found these conditions slightly trickier.

He went shortly after lunch thanks to a good use of DRS from Cummins to dismiss him LBW and three balls later deceived Marco Jansen with a slower delivery that he caught two handed.

From there on it was a procession with South Africa giving up an 84 run deficit & Cummins raising the ball to the sky after nipping out David Bedingham (45).

When the players re-emerged all eyes were on Rabada as the only hope for South African salvation and despite his captain setting defensive fields and after a lowkey start things then started to happen in fast forward with the wickets of Khawaja and Green.

But Rabada couldn’t do it alone and unlike the first innings time around everybody else wanted to get involved.

Roared on by the crowd Lungi Ngidi ran in like a man with a point to prove, Marco Jansen continued to probe away and Wiaan Mulder was as difficult to get away as in the first innings and all of them contributed wickets as a captivating game hit new heights of action.

Labuschagne (22) edged into the slips, Steve Smith (13) missed a straight one, Beau Webster’s (9) run of luck ended, but it was only when Travis Head (9) was bowled early and Cummins (6) saw his stumps messed up that South Africa suddenly believed.  

Cameron Green (0) also failed to make his mark at first drop, sparking fears he is not the right fit to be that high in the batting order.

With Australia 7/73 and a lead of less than 150 South Africa were suddenly favourites to win.  The overheads were working in their favour, the pitch misbehaving and every shot seemed full of danger.  

But the ball wouldn’t carry with Bedingham in the slips catching three genuine outside edges on the bounce and as the famous Lord’s clock ticked towards 6pm Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc pushed the singles, found the boundary and rode their luck.

With an over to go and the lead past 200 it was the Aussies once more who were once again the bookies favourite before one last effort ball from Rabada was enough to pin Carey LBW.

The crowd rose to its feet again, and when the players all walked from the field with an Australia lead of 218 but only two wickets in hand there was no doubt more than one or two spectators wondering how they can get out of work tomorrow.

Australia v South Africa - Day Two scorecard

Australia – 212 and 144/8 (second innings)

Alex Carey – 43 (50)

Marnus Labuschagne – 22 (64)

Mitchell Starc – 16* (47)

Lungi Ngidi – 3/35

South Africa – 138 (first innings)

David Bedingham – 45 (111)

Temba Bavuma – 36 (84)

Ryan Rickelton – 16 (23)

Pat Cummins – 6/28

Australia leads by 218 runs

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