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This was published 1 year ago

Australia vs South Africa as it happened: Australia suffer top order woes in dramatic scenes at Lord’s as South Africa fight back

Tom Decent and Andrew Wu
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

Stumps: Australia 8-144, lead by 218 runs
Cummins snares 300th wicket as South Africa lose 5-12 to be all out 138
Handling the ball drama
Technology denies Australia
Fourteen wickets tumble at Lord’s on day one as Ange Postecoglou watches on
‘Oh, man!’ - Proteas ruing crucial miss in WTC final

Stumps: Australia 8-144, lead by 218 runs

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Test cricket delivers once again. Unmatched.

“I’m not sure which camp I would want to be in,” says Kevin Pietersen on the coverage.

Pat Cummins’ six-wicket haul helped him join the magic 300 club but South Africa’s industrious bowling display allowed them to storm back into an absorbing contest and raise questions of Australia’s fragile top order.

Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of David Bedingham. Getty Images

Cricket fans with tickets on Saturday might not get to use them after this World Test Championship final moved rapidly on another day when 14 wickets fell.

Carey is out for 43

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A fine innings of 43 from 50 balls comes to an end for Carey.

Rabada finds the knee roll of Carey’s front pad. Replays show the ball would have been going onto hit leg stump (umpire’s call).

Great dig from Carey at a really critical time in the match. Deserved a half century.

Australia 8-134, lead by 208 runs

Alex Carey bats at Lord’s. Getty Images

Carey and Starc bring up the 50-run partnership

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This partnership is now 50 runs. Super important in the context of the match.

A catch almost carries to the keeper. Carey a little fortunate there as Rabada continues to come off the long run.

Stumps getting closer. It couldn’t come quick enough for the Aussies.

BANG. Carey punches Rabada back past him for four. Shot of real intent.

Australia 7-124, lead by 198 runs

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What a venue

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Starc gets into double figures while Carey is showing an appetite to hit straight.

Carey is the rock of this innings.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: A general view during match play on day two of the ICC World Test Championship final. Getty Images

Carey survives a review

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Jansen thinks he’s trapped Carey in front but the not out decision is not overturned.

Next ball, Carey rocks backs and creams a cover drive on the up to the rope. Gorgeous shot and a sign of intent coming into the last few overs of the day.

Australia 7-105

Carey and Starc are digging in

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With about 45 minutes remaining in the day, this pair will be desperate to be there at stumps.

Australia 7-93, lead by 167 runs.

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Why South Africa’s bowlers have been on song

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This has been sensational bowling from South Africa on many fronts.

They are attacking the stumps and really pulling back their length. There is enough nibble off the seam to throw doubt into the minds of Australia’s batsmen.

Several balls have taken the edge but they are falling short, prompting the South African slips cordon to come forward a little.

At 2-44, things were looking rosy in Australian camp.

Now it’s 7-82 and the WTC is really up for grabs, with Australia leading by 156 runs.

Cummins hits out and then gets bowled

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Pat Cummins is happy to get on with business by rocking back and smashing a cover drive to the rope.

Australia could be bowling tonight.

As I type that, Cummins is also making his way back to the pavilion. A full ball from Ngidi deflects off Cummins’ pads and onto the stumps.

Australian fans at Lord’s seem stunned.

Australia in major trouble as Head departs

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“What are we seeing unfold here?!”

Matt Hayden isn’t wrong in commentary as Travis Head is bowled for nine after a slight deviation off his front pad. Plays all around a good length delivery from Mulder around the wicket.

Never looked comfortable. Stunning cricket on show.

Australia are 6-66 and lead by 140 runs

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Webster trapped in front for nine

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Webster slashes at one and it flies through the slips cordon for a boundary.

“A bit of luck, you need that,” says Aussie great Matt Hayden in commentary.

BANG. Next ball, Webster is hit on the back leg by Ngidi. It’s referred but I don’t like Webster’s chances. Didn’t get a massive step forward.

Yep. Gone. Three reds.

Oh boy. Serious trouble for Australia. They are 5-64 and lead by 138 runs.

And there’s about 90 minutes of play left today.

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