By Kevin Rademeyer.
The 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final is reaching a boiling point at Lord’s, where two days of mesmerising Test cricket have seen 28 wickets fall and the pendulum swing with each passing session.
Australia may hold a 218-run lead going into Day Three, but South Africa’s spirited fightback has thrown the clash wide open, with the tantalising possibility of an ICC title within their grasp for the first time in over two decades.
Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins stole the headlines early on Day Two, producing a spell for the ages. With four wickets for just one run in a ruthless post-lunch burst, Cummins, leading from the front, dismantled the Proteas lower order to finish with career-best Lord’s figures of 6 for 28. The spell also saw him reach the landmark of 300 Test wickets, only the fifth Australian to do so and among the fastest ever in terms of deliveries bowled.
South Africa, resuming on 43 for four in reply to Australia’s modest 212, had briefly rallied through a fighting 64-run stand between captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45). But from 126 for five, the Proteas imploded to 138 all out – their last five wickets falling for just 12 runs, including a farcical run-out and a brutal short-ball dismissal of Kagiso Rabada, who became Cummins’ 300th scalp.
But if anyone thought the Australians would coast from there, South Africa’s pacers had other ideas. Rabada struck first, dismissing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the same over for the second consecutive day. Lungi Ngidi then turned the contest on its head with a breathtaking second session display, removing Smith, Labuschagne and Cummins as Australia stumbled to 73 for 7. Only a gritty partnership between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc prevented total collapse, pushing the lead past 200.
As the teams head into what could be the final day, the match remains tantalisingly balanced. Australia, with two wickets remaining and a lead of 218, will hope to stretch their advantage just a little further. But with the ball softening and the pitch seemingly easing, South Africa may back themselves to chase anything under 250.
They will, however, need a composed and resolute batting performance – something their top order has yet to deliver. Much will depend on the experience of Bavuma and Aiden Markram to guide the innings and build the kind of partnership that finals demand.
South Africa haven’t won a global ICC trophy since 1998. This is their moment. The bowlers have brought them back from the brink, but it is now the batters who must finish the job. With Rabada and Ngidi breathing fire and Cummins standing tall as the best in the world, Friday at Lord’s promises edge-of-your-seat drama.
The stakes? Immortality for one team, heartbreak for the other. The mace is within reach – but only the bold will grasp it.