WTC closing, Day 2: Australia’s Cummins rips through South Africa batting

Australia’s Pat Cummins celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Australia captain Pat Cummins produced a sensational spell of 4 wickets for only one run because the title-holders seized management of the World Test Championship closing in opposition to South Africa at Lord’s on Thursday (June 12, 2025).

South Africa have been bowled out for 138 in reply to Australia’s first-innings 212 on the second day with the 30-year-old Cummins ending with closing figures of 6-28 as he went to 300 profession Test wickets

South Africa misplaced their final 5 wickets for simply 12 runs, with a comedy run out not serving to their trigger, as Cummins ripped through the decrease order on his method to a 14th five-wicket haul in 68 Tests and first at Lord’s.

Only South Africa captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) provided significant resistance throughout a fifth-wicket stand of 64.

South Africa quick bowler Kagiso Rabada had taken a fantastic 5-51 on Wednesday however his efforts have been eclipsed by Cummins.

After lunch, the Australian skipper took 4 for one in simply 17 balls of devastating tempo bowling.

South Africa had resumed on Thursday at 43-4, battling to place sufficient runs on the board.

The diminutive Bavuma, having taken 37 balls for his in a single day three not out, modified gears as he struck an excellent lofted cover-drive off left-arm fast Starc for 4 and later pulled Cummins for a glowing six.

But Cummins had his revenge when Bavuma’s checked drive was brilliantly caught at cowl by a diving Marnus Labuschagne.

In the final over earlier than lunch, Bedingham struck two fours in three balls off all-rounder Beau webster to take South Africa to 121-5.

But wickets tumbled early within the second session, with Cummins taking claiming two scalps in an over.

He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for 13 and three balls later held a easy return catch as Marco Jansen fell for a duck, with South Africa now diminished 126-7.

Cummins then had Bedingham caught behind to finish a 111-ball innings earlier than Keshav Maharaj was needlessly run out.

The pacemen then hit rival fast Rabada on the arm and helmet with bouncers from across the wicket earlier than ending the innings together with his three hundredth Test wicket when opposing fast Rabada was properly caught low down at deep sq. leg by Beau Webster.