End of Session 1 – Day 3 of WTC final SA vs Aus
World Test Championship Final 2025: Australia vs South Africa – A Battle for the Ultimate Test Glory
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC), introduced to bring greater context and excitement to the longest format of the game, has reached its thrilling conclusion for the 2023–25 cycle. In a historic showdown at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, two modern cricketing powerhouses—Australia and South Africa—are locking horns in the WTC Final.
While Australia aims to defend its 2023 title and reaffirm its red-ball supremacy, South Africa is chasing a maiden championship crown in what could be a defining moment for their Test cricket revival. With high stakes, iconic performances, and dramatic momentum shifts, the final has truly lived up to its billing, promising an epic finish as Day 3 unfolds.
Match Situation (End of Day 3 Lunch)
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Australia’s final total: 207 all out in their second innings—boosted by a gritty 58* from Mitchell Starc, partnering with Josh Hazlewood for a 59-run last-wicket stand.
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South Africa’s target: 282 runs to secure their first-ever WTC title. Only 3 teams have successfully chased 250+ at Lord’s.
Key Performances
Pat Cummins (Aus)
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Took a decisive 6–28 in South Africa’s second innings, clinching his 300th Test wicket and becoming the first captain with a six‑wicket haul in an ICC Final at Lord’s.
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He dismissed five South African batsmen swiftly after lunch on Day 2, contributing significantly to the collapse.
Kagiso Rabada & Lungi Ngidi (SA)
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Rabada grabbed key wickets again—9 wickets in the match so far—and kept Australia honest.
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Ngidi chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, including dismissing Cummins, reinforcing SA’s bowling fightback.
Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood (Aus)
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Their 59-run stand, the highest 10th-wicket partnership at Lord’s since 1975, elevated Australia to a challenging total.
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Starc joined the elite with his 11th Test fifty, helping set the tone early on Day 3.
| Team | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia | Hold upper hand—lead by 282, challenging target set. Bowlers in form; tail contributions crucial. |
| South Africa | Need solid partnership(s) early in the chase. Historically, only 3 chases of 250+ succeed at Lord’s, but conditions are currently favorable with sunny weather. |
What to Expect in the Afternoon Session
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Early breakthroughs by South African pacers will be pivotal.
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Can Starc and Hazlewood’s performance still turn the match in Australia’s favor?
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Will Cummins & Co. extend the lead beyond 300 and tighten SA’s chances?
The match is finely poised—Australia appear ahead, but South Africa’s chase is still within reach. Expect an intense, dramatic Afternoon session as the chase begins.