SA vs AUS, WTC Final 2025 Highlights Day 2: Alex Carey gave Australia some respite after they found themselves in a precarious position in the final session of Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. The wicketkeeper-batter stood tall and stitched a crucial 61-run stand with Mitchell Starc for the 8th wicket before Kagiso Rabada removed him for 43(50). Starc, batting on 16(47), and Nathan Lyon (1 off 4) finished the day unbeaten as Australia pushed their total to 144/8 after being reduced to 74/7. They have a healthy lead of 218 runs.
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SA vs AUS, WTC Final 2025 Highlights Day 2: Australia finish at 144-8, lead by 218 runs
SA vs AUS, WTC Final 2025 Highlights Day 2: Alex Carey gave Australia some respite after they found themselves in a precarious position in the final session of Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. The wicketkeeper-batter stood tall and stitched a crucial 61-run stand with Mitchell Starc for the 8th wicket before Kagiso Rabada removed him for 43(50). Starc, batting on 16(47), and Nathan Lyon (1 off 4) finished the day unbeaten as Australia pushed their total to 144/8 after being reduced to 74/7. They have a healthy lead of 218 runs.
Lungi Ngidi, who went wicketless in the first innings, triggered Australian collapse in the final session. He struck thrice and certainly made Australia uncomfortable. Ngidi's blows included Steve Smith (13), Beau Webster (9) - both half-centurion from the previous innings - and Pat Cummins (6). Meanwhile, Rabada, who registered a five-wicket haul in the first innings, also scalped the same number of wickets. Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder - the other two pacers from the Proteas camp - registered a scalp each.
Earlier, Australia skipper Pat Cummins ensured South Africa remained on backfoot despite the momentum built by Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham. The Australian skipper returned with six scalps as South Africa were folded for 138 as Australia gained a lead of 74 runs. The day began with Bavuma and Bedingham showing promise as they guided South Africa to 94 from the overnight total of 43/4. Cummins removed his Proteas counterpart Bavuma for 36(84), following which wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne joined the action. He combined with Bedingham to keep the momentum intact as South Africa reached 121/5 at Lunch. Cummins, however, didn't allow South Africa to settle in the second session and wrapped the show by picking the remaining four wickets, while Keshav Maharaj was run-out. Bedingham scored 45(111), which was the highest individual total among the Proteas batters.
Meanwhile, Australia had a slow start to the WTC final but by the time Stumps were called on Day 1, they were on top all thanks to the pace trio of Starc, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Australia, who were asked to bat first, were folded for 212 in the first innings.

