14 Wickets Fall on Day 2 of WTC Final, Australia Lead South Africa by 218 Runs
The second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s Cricket Ground was a tale of two innings, with 14 wickets falling in total. The Proteas were bowled out for 138 runs in their first innings, with Pat Cummins taking six wickets, before Australia ended the day at 144/8 in their second innings, leading by 218 runs.
South Africa’s batting woes continued on the second day, with the team struggling to cope with the swinging conditions. Cummins, in particular, was in top form, taking 6/38 to become the first Australian pace bowler to take a five-wicket haul at Lord’s since Glenn McGrath in 2005. The Australian bowler has been a thorn in the side of the South African batting line-up, taking 12 wickets in the two innings so far.
The Proteas’ top order, which has been their strength throughout the series, failed to deliver once again. Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram were dismissed early, with Elgar falling to a beautiful delivery from Cummins that swung in and kissed the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Markram, who has been struggling for form, was bowled by a Cummins delivery that swung away from the bat.
The middle order fared no better, with Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma both falling to Cummins. Van der Dussen was clean bowled by a Cummins delivery that swung in and knocked back the stumps, while Bavuma was caught behind by Carey for 12.
South Africa’s tail-enders did put up some resistance, with Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi putting on a 25-run partnership for the last wicket. However, it was too little too late, and the Proteas were eventually bowled out for 138 runs.
Australia, who had been struggling to build partnerships in their first innings, made a steady start to their second innings. Openers David Warner and Travis Head put on 40 runs for the first wicket, before Warner was dismissed by a beautiful delivery from Anrich Nortje. Head was joined by Marnus Labuschagne, and the two batsmen put on a 44-run partnership before Head was bowled by a Kagiso Rabada delivery.
Labuschagne, who has been in fine form throughout the series, was eventually dismissed by a Rabada delivery that swung away from the bat. The Australian middle order, which has been a concern throughout the series, struggled to build partnerships, with Cameron Green being dismissed for a duck and Alex Carey being bowled by a Nortje delivery.
At stumps on the second day, Australia were 144/8, with Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon at the crease. The two batsmen will look to bat through the rest of the day and secure a lead of over 200 runs for Australia.
South Africa will need to produce a remarkable comeback to get back into the match, and it will be a tall task for the Proteas to chase down a target of over 300 runs. The Australian bowlers, led by Cummins, have been in top form, and it will be a challenge for the South African batsmen to cope with the swinging conditions.
Overall, it has been a day of ups and downs for both teams, with 14 wickets falling in total. Australia will be pleased with their position at the end of the day, but they will know that they still need to bat well to secure a win. South Africa, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their batting performance, but they will look to get back into the match on the third day.
