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A low-scoring World Test Championship (WTC) final was heading to a thrilling conclusion after Australia took a 74-run first-innings lead before being reduced to 144 for eight by South Africa by the close of Day 2 at Lord’s on Thursday.
It was a landmark day for Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took six for 28 to get to 300 wickets in his Test career and dismiss the Proteas for 138 following a whirlwind hour after lunch when the Baggy Greens claimed South Africa’s last five batters for 12 runs in 5.5 overs.
A Test dominated by pace bowling continued in that vein in Australia’s second innings, with Kagiso Rabada — who took five for 51 to help restrict the Australians to 212 all out on Day 1 — again removing Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in one over before Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, including dangerman Steve Smith (13), in an inspired spell.
Tottering at 73 for seven, Australia managed to rebuild in the final hour through an eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out). Rabada (3-44) trapped Carey lbw in another twist in the next-to-last over at the home of cricket as 14 wickets tumbled for the second straight day.
Australia led by 218 going into the third and potentially final day of the third edition of Test cricket’s big new showpiece in its bid to retain the mace.
South Africa is seeking its first ICC trophy in any format this century.
