WTC Final 2025: Australia Hold Edge with 218-Run Lead on Day 2

The 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s continues to deliver thrilling Test cricket, with Australia finishing Day 2 at 144/8, leading South Africa by 218 runs. The match remains finely poised after another dramatic day where 14 wickets fell, mirroring the bowler-dominated opening day.

Key Highlights:

• Australia leads by 218 runs, ending Day 2 at 144/8 after a fierce bowling battle at Lord’s
• Pat Cummins stars with 6/28, reaching 300 Test wickets as South Africa crumbles for 138
• Carey-Starc rescue stand and South Africa’s no-ball woes keep the match on a knife edge

South Africa kicked off the day at 43/4 but couldn’t find their footing, getting bowled out for 138. That gave Australia a handy 74-run lead. Pat Cummins was the hero for the Aussies, tearing through the Proteas with a fiery 6/28, including the big wicket of Temba Bavuma, who edged one to the slips for 28. Cummins also hit a milestone, becoming the fifth-fastest to 300 Test wickets. David Bedingham showed some grit with 39, but Australia’s pace attack—featuring Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood—ran the show on a pitch that was doing all sorts of tricks.

Australia’s second innings started with a wobble, crashing to 73/7 as South Africa’s bowlers came out swinging. Kagiso Rabada (3/51) got rid of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single over, while Lungi Ngidi (3/35) sent Steve Smith (26) and Beau Webster (12) packing. Just when it seemed South Africa might turn the tide, Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16*) put together a stubborn 61-run stand. A dropped catch by Marco Jansen off Starc in the final over hurt the Proteas, letting Australia stretch their lead.

South Africa’s bowlers showed heart but kept shooting themselves in the foot with 9 no-balls, adding to their whopping 124 no-balls this WTC cycle. The pitch should get friendlier for batting on Day 3, giving South Africa a shot at chasing something under 250—a target that’s been chased before at Lord’s. But with just two Aussie wickets left, they’ll need to strike fast.

Also Read: Steve Smith Lights Up Lord's in WTC Final 2025

Heading into Day 3, it’s all to play for. South Africa will fight to keep Australia’s lead in check, while the Aussies will look to pile on the runs. With both teams’ bowlers firing and their batters looking shaky, this final is set for a thrilling finish.