FULL HIGHLIGHTS | WTC Final SA vs AUS Score, Day 2: Australia slightly ahead after another 14-wicket day at Lord's
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WTC Final Live || SA vs AUS Score, Day 2 Photograph: (X/ICC)
Highlights | SA vs AUS, Day 2: The defending champions ended the day with 218 runs ahead and two wickets still in hand on a pitch which has produced 28 wickets in two days.
HIGHLIGHTS | SA vs AUS, Day 2: Australia have their nose ahead after a thrilling day 2 (June 12) in World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 against South Africa at Lord's (London) in the UK. The defending champions ended the day with 218 runs ahead and two wickets still in hand on a pitch which has produced 28 wickets in two days.
Australia were in complete command when they started their second innings with a lead of 74 runs. A spirited bowling performance by Proteas pacers, however, left them looking vulnerable.
Earlier, South Africa had a steady first session and scored 78 runs for the loss of one wicket before Australia struck back in the second session.
Skipper Cummins struck early post lunch with two wickets in an over. South Africa could not overcome the double blows and were folded out for a paltry 138 in the first innings and conceded a 74-run lead. Cummins finished with a six-for and reached 300 Test wickets as well.
Kagiso Rabada breaks the solid 61-run stand with the prized wicket of Alex Carey, who departs for 43. Eight wickets for Rabada in the game, what a Test match he is having here.
Marco Jansen drops a sharp chance at gully and Strac gets a reprieve. Mulder's delivery induced the nick, but Jansen couldn't hold on to what could have been a key wicket in the dying moments of the game.
AUS (2nd innings): 144/8 (lead by 218 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Rabada gets a breakthrough, removes Alex Carey for 43.
Alex Carey lbw b Rabada 43
AUS (2nd innings): 134/8 (lead by 208 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc have put together a valuable 42-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Carey, known for his composure under pressure, has built a reputation over the years for delivering crucial lower-order contributions when Australia finds itself in tough situations.
AUS (2nd innings): 116/7 (lead by 189 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
South Africa look in complete control with pacers continuing to ask some tough questions.
AUS (2nd innings): 84/7 (lead by 158 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Lungi Ngidi removes Pat Cummins for 6.
Pat Cummins b Ngidi 6
AUS (2nd innings): 73/7 (lead by 147 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Mulder removes Head for 9, Australia six down
Travis Head b Mulder 9
AUS (2nd innings): 66/6 (lead by 140 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Lungi Ngidi provides a key breakthrough, removes Webster.
Beau Webster lbw b Ngidi 9
AUS (2nd innings): 64/5 (lead by 138 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Brilliant bowling by South African bowlers as they have kept things tight for Australian batters.
AUS (2nd innings): 54/4 (lead by 128 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Lungi Ngidi removes Steve Smith for 13.
Steve Smith lbw b Ngidi 13
AUS (2nd innings): 48/4 (lead by 122 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Marco Jansen removes Labuschagne for 22, Australia three down
Marnus Labuschagne c Verreynne b Jansen 22
AUS (2nd innings): 44/3 (lead by 118 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Australia are looking solid with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne on the crease. If SA want a chance - this is it - bowl Australia out as quickly as they can and chase anything less than 250-275.
AUS (2nd innings): 40/2 (lead by 114 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Rabada puts South Africa on top by removing Green and Khwaja. An exciting third session awaits.
AUS (2nd innings): 32/2 (lead by 106 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
One brings two for Australia. Green departs without troubling the scores.
AUS (2nd innings): 28/2 (lead by 102 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Rabada removes Khawaja.
AUS (2nd innings): 28/1 (lead by 102 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Marnus is showing the intent with bat and Khwaja has been watchful. The Proteas need a quick wicket as the lead now crosses 100 runs.
AUS (2nd innings): 28/0 (lead by 102 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Aussie openers Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khwaja have been watchful in the early overs. Proteas bowlers Rabada and Jansen are bowling tight lines.
AUS (2nd innings): 15/0 (lead by 89 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
With an important 74 runs lead, Australia have come out to bat again at Lords. Rabada starts the proceedings for South Africa.
And a run out! This is really unravelling for South Africa as Keshav Maharaj is found short of his ground while trying to sneak a run.
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Keshav Maharaj run out (Head/†Carey) 7
Cummins takes a five-for and South Africa are eight down. What a player! This time it is Bedingham - last symbol of SA's resistance - this should be over quickly now.
SA (1st innings): 135/8 (trail by 77 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
David Bedingham c †Carey b Cummins 45
Australia have hit back hard in the second session and South Africa are still very far in the Test match. The only thing remains to be seen is how much they manage in the first innings to keep Australia's advantage at the minimum.
SA (1st innings): 135/7 (trail by 77 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Another wicket for Cummins in the over and this looks a formality now.
SA (1st innings): 126/7 (trail by 86 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Marco Jansen c & b Cummins 0
Cummins strikes and SA are six down - the umpire gave it not out as the ball was visibly going down the leg but Cummins took a review and was proven right!
SA (1st innings): 126/6 (trail by 86 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Kyle Verreynne lbw b Cummins 13
Cautious start by SA in the second session as it should be if they want to get near to Australi's first innings total.
SA (1st innings): 123/5 (trail by 89 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Rain has gone away, as always in London, and the play is set to resume.
The ground staff has covered the pitch as rain stops play at the Lord's and the lunch break has been extended.
South Africa added 78 runs int he session for loss of one wicket - skipper Temba Bavuma - thanks to a screamer by Marnus. We'll be back for the second session in a bit.
SA (1st innings): 121/5 (trail by 91 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
100 up for South Africa. After what seems a long time, South Africa have reached the 100-run mark but have lost five wickets in the process with 112 more to go to make it an even contest and give themselves a 50-50 chance as said by skipper Bavuma before the beginning of the Ultimate Test.
SA (1st innings): 100/5 (trail by 112 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Right when SA were looking to come out of the woods, a moment of brilliance in the field bring Australia back on the top as Proteas are now five down for less than 100.
SA (1st innings): 94/5 (trail by 118 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
WHAT A CATCH!!!! Marnus, you beauty. He flew to his right and intercepted Temba Bavuma's cover drive mid-air and SA are now five down.
SA (1st innings): 94/5 (trail by 118 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Temba Bavuma c Labuschagne b Cummins 36
Stability comes in as skipper Bavuma holds one end with Bedingham his partner on the other side to being South Africa out of their misery - not completely though and the pair would have to do a lot before SA are out of woods in this one.
SA (1st innings): 87/4 (trail by 125 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Good batting by the Proteas pair as the add 50 runs for the fifth wicket and bring some stability to their shaky innings.
David Bedingham - Temba Bavuma - 50 runs for 5th wicket
SA (1st innings): 81/4 (trail by 131 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
South Africa looked better in the morning session with Bavuma and Bedingham scoring runs for ease.
SA (1st innings): 69/4 (trail by 143 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Bavuma went at Mitchell Starc with a couple of glorious cover drives and the strike rotation with Bedingham has been way better. Can they continue this momentum?
SA (1st innings): 55/4 (trail by 157 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Good start by Starc as he questions Temba Bavuma's technique on a lively Lord's pitch. A misfield by Labuschagne gets 2 from the last ball.
SA (1st innings): 45/4 (trail by 167 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Kagiso Rabada has created history after taking a five-for on day 1 (June11) of the WTC Final against Australia at Lord's in London (UK). Rabada is only the second bowler in the history of this short tournament to take a five-wicket haul in the Ultimate Test. He finished with the figures of 5/51 as Australia were bundled out for 212 in the first innings.