SA Vs AUS, WTC 2025 Final Live Score: Australia All Out For 207; Set South Africa A Target Of 281
This is almost certain to be the last day of this Test. 14 wickets fell on the first two days and according to Australia's captain Pat Cummins, the pitch is only getting more difficult to bat on — which should make it difficult for the remaining 12 batters to survive and beat the trend.
But it's here that the margins of big matches come into play. A lot of the 28 wickets so far can be put down to poor batting and a lack of preparedness for the moving red cherry. South Africa's bowlers have done the job for them twice now, by getting the Aussies out for 212 in the first innings and then keeping them down to 144/8 in the third. Australia having a lead of 218, the most runs for an innings in this Test, is not on them.
It is as big an invitation as it could be for the Proteas' batting lineup to step up. It'll require an effort of the highest — almost unprecedented — order to do it against this bowling attack at this stage. But there's no tomorrow to this opportunity to end the 27-year-long wait for a senior men's ICC title; it's now or an even more painful wait for several months and probably years.
Doing it against the odds is what makes the champions. Can Temba Bavuma and his men create history?
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News18
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Understanding Mohammed Siraj: 'There Was A Time He Had Nothing, So Cricket Became Life And Death'
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It was stunning and world-beating in its ways, but it did lack that one maniac of an out-and-out pacer – one as skilful with his wrists as with his natural and sometimes, scary fitness. Someone who wasn't captaincy material but a loose cannon, a captain's greatest weapon against stacked odds. Someone who'd not just win you a few Tests, but would turn around a series and in such a way that the only words you'd have are 'passion', 'force' and 'what does this guy even eat?' He showed he has ferocious arm speed, enough to throw a rock as fast as a tennis ball, can make both the old and new ball move both ways, can lead attacks in India and abroad, and is special enough to stand out like a bright bulb in the shadow of the genius that is Jasprit Bumrah. All with a unique repeatability and consistency. Understanding Siraj thoroughly will take time, and perhaps he'll only be truly understood once he's not with the team anymore. 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I remember, I got a call from Arshad Ayub, he said Miyan, your boy has been selected in the Ranji Trophy. It is great news for you; you supported and got him to this level. He asked if I was not going to distribute sweets! So I took a basket of Jalebi, and when I was distributing it to people — it was a Friday, I remember — I was wearing a kurta pyjama, which got soaked with sugar, and I didn't even realise. I was out of my mind with happiness. It still gives me goosebumps thinking that I brought that child to this level. I have never been so happy or so successful. It was the biggest achievement for me. It wasn't always easy. I remember vividly that there was a camp for the HCA. That camp was also in the period of Arshad Ayub and John Manoj. The director was Bobby sir. He had given Siraj a letter for indiscipline and said he was not fit for cricket and banned him from HCA. The reason? He wasn't coming to practice. 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He's an inspiration. In Hyderabad, we tell everyone khelenge koodenge toh honge nawab. We tell everyone to sleep on time, eat on time. What do the boys say? 'Yes, sir, I will,' but they don't, and remain busy with their phones. Siraj has known from the start how he's supposed to bowl and bring consistency into the nets. When you give him some extra responsibility, he adjusts his game accordingly. top videos View all Cricket is his bread and butter. Cricket is his life. It's life and death for him. So there is no other option. He has spent a lot of time playing cricket, and he has worked hard from a very young age, elevating himself from so many problems. There was a time he had nothing; today, he has got everything from cricket. We want Siraj to go to the top and progress, and he should get a lot of success in his personal life as well. Along with that, I would also like to say that he should look after those who were his friends. Not financially – financially doesn't matter – but people just yearn for love. You should give them some time, keep them in mind. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : England cricket team From the press box India vs England 2025 Indian cricket team jasprit bumrah Mohammed Siraj view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 16, 2025, 21:50 IST News cricket Understanding Mohammed Siraj: 'There Was A Time He Had Nothing, So Cricket Became Life And Death' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
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Time of India
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- Time of India
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