Thrilling Pace Battle Unfolds at Lord’s in WTC Final.

The World Test Championship final at Lord’s has delivered back-to-back days of high drama, with 28 wickets falling across the first two days as Australia and South Africa engaged in a fierce contest dominated by fast bowlers.
On Day 2, Pat Cummins produced a sensational spell of 6 for 28 to wrap up South Africa’s first innings for 138, shortly after they resumed at 121/5 post-lunch. This gave Australia a 74-run lead, but South Africa hit back hard. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi spearheaded a spirited fightback, reducing Australia to 73/7. However, Alex Carey’s counter-attacking 43 and a gritty 61-run stand with Mitchell Starc helped Australia close the day at 144/8, leading by 218.
Earlier in the day, Marnus Labuschagne provided a steady start in Australia’s second innings, extending the lead past 100. South Africa lost a review early, but Rabada reignited their hopes with a double strike before Tea, removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the same over.
The final session saw Labuschagne and Steve Smith attempt a rebuild, but South Africa’s pace attack kept the pressure on. Labuschagne edged to the keeper off Jansen, and Ngidi struck twice more, trapping Smith and then Beau Webster lbw. Wiaan Mulder added to the collapse by bowling Travis Head, leaving Australia reeling at 66/6.
Carey and Starc then steadied the innings, surviving several close calls. Carey overturned an lbw decision via DRS and brought up a crucial 50-run partnership. Despite a few dropped chances, the pair pushed the lead past 200 before Carey was finally trapped in front by Rabada, who appeared to be tiring late in the day.
The day began with South Africa showing promise. Temba Bavuma looked confident, overturning an lbw decision and playing some aggressive strokes. He and David Bedingham added 64 before a sharp catch by Labuschagne ended Bavuma’s stay. Cummins then tore through the middle order, becoming the first captain since Daniel Vettori in 2008 to claim a five-wicket haul at Lord’s. He also reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets.With the match finely poised and momentum swinging wildly, Day 3 promises more gripping action in this high-stakes final.