WTC Final: Steve Smith goes past Gary Sobers to script Test record at Lord's
Star Australian batter Steve Smith added another chapter to his storied Test career on Wednesday, surpassing some of the game's greatest names to become the highest run-scorer by a visiting batter at Lord's. The Australian brought up the milestone during his half-century on Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final against South Africa.Smith reached 51 in the afternoon session, taking his overall tally on the ground to 578 runs. In doing so, he moved past Warren Bardsley (575), Sir Garfield Sobers (571), Sir Donald Bradman (551), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (512), Dilip Vengsarkar (508), and Allan Border (503) to take the top spot among overseas batters at the venue.advertisementHis half-century came off 76 deliveries and included nine boundaries. The innings was crucial in stabilising Australia's position after a difficult morning session in which South Africa's seamers, aided by helpful overhead conditions, reduced the defending champions to 67 for 4 by lunch.
AUS vs SA Live Score, WTC Final 2025 Day 1Smith's record at Lord's now includes three fifties and two centuries, with a highest score of 215 scored during the 2015 Ashes. This was his fifth fifty-plus score at the ground, equalling Chanderpaul for the most by a visiting batter.Earlier in the day, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bowl under heavy cloud cover. The decision paid immediate dividends. Kagiso Rabada, returning to the side after a one-month suspension, removed Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in quick succession. Khawaja was dismissed for a 20-ball duck, edging to David Bedingham at slip, while Green fell for four, caught low at second slip by Aiden Markram.The highest overseas run scorer in Test cricket at the Home of Cricket.Steve Smith Lord's pic.twitter.com/3QY9cK4RM0— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 11, 2025advertisementRabada bowled a disciplined six-over spell, conceding just nine runs and generating consistent movement. Marco Jansen added to the pressure, removing Marnus Labuschagne for 17 and Travis Head for 11. Head's dismissal came on the stroke of lunch, with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne pulling off a diving catch to cap South Africa's strong start.Smith's determined resistance ended on 66, undone by a sharp delivery from Aiden Markram. Marco Jansen, stationed at slip, held on to a juggling catch to complete the dismissal - a vital breakthrough for South Africa just as Australia were beginning to rebuild. You May Also Like
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Hindustan Times
39 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Well, initially, when I walked out…': Pat Cummins drops verdict on Lord's madness as AUS, SA fight for WTC title
Day 2 of the ongoing WTC Final was an entertaining affair, with Australia leading by 218 runs at Lord's. After posting 212 in their first innings, Australia bowled out South Africa for 138 on Day 2, and then went on to reach 144/8 at Stumps. After Stumps, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins appeared confident, especially as his side came up with the perfect response, despite a massive Proteas comeback. Also a 61-run partnership between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc stabilised the innings for the Aussies, who now lead by 218 runs with two wickets in hand, heading into Day 3. 'Well, initially … when I walked out, anything over 200 (would have been good), so it is good to get over that,' Cummins said. 'But you just want to get as many runs as you can. Hopefully we get another 20 or 30 in the morning. That'd be good. I think that would give us a few more options to bowl to, you know, a few more aggressive fields to set, those kinds of things. But (I'm) happy to have it over 200,' he added. Sending a message to his teammates ahead of Day 3, Cummins said, 'Ideally we would have a few more wickets in the shed, but I think the trend of the game is that the runs are coming down.' 'It's still pretty difficult out there. I think it is set up pretty well for a day three finish, you'd imagine, tomorrow. But I think we are going to have to bowl well, still, in the fourth innings.' Dropping his verdict on the pitch, he added, 'I think it is a mixture of the wicket still doing a little bit. Just when it feels like it is not doing anything, one ball suddenly seams quite, quite drastically. But I think both teams bowled really well, really disciplined. There haven't been too many half-volleys. Both teams are just hanging it in that good length area on a pretty tight line. South Africa today, again, they looked pretty tricky, and the wicket has got enough in it to make it even more tricky.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
WTC Final: Aussie skipper Pat Cummins hits 300 Test wickets in style; surpasses Indian legend with historic haul at Lord's
One thing about Pat Cummins is that he knows how to walk the talk. The Australian Test captain led by example as he put his side on the path to another ICC tournament triumph. On Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it was Cummins who turned the game decisively in Australia's favour. The fast bowler finished with remarkable figures of 6 for 28 in South Africa's first innings — a spell that not only swung the match but also saw him reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets and surpass an Indian legend on an elite list. 300 Test wickets ✅Six-for in the #WTC25 Final ✅Australia captain Pat Cummins continues to set the standard 🌟 Pat Cummins makes history at Lord's It was a landmark performance as Pat Cummins etched his name into the history books, becoming only the fourth captain to claim a five-wicket haul in an innings at the iconic venue. He went one step further by taking the final wicket, becoming the first-ever captain to take six wickets in a single innings at the venue. His heroics also saw him become the first captain to take a five-wicket haul in an ICC final, further cementing his reputation as a leader who delivers in big moments. With this spell, he extended his record for the most five-wicket hauls by a Test captain. This marked Cummins's 14th five-for in Test cricket — a milestone that firmly places him among the game's elite. He surpassed Indian great Bishan Singh Bedi and drew level with Richie Benaud with nine five-fors as captain, the second-highest tally in Test history behind Pakistan's Imran Khan, who leads the list with 12. Australia skipper Pat Cummins climbed up an exclusive list of leaders in Test cricket 👏#SAvAUS #WTC25 ✍️: For the first time in Test cricket history, a bowling attack featured three players with 300 or more wickets. Pat Cummins joined Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in reaching the milestone, forming a historic trio in Australia's current lineup. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood isn't far behind, sitting on 280 wickets. Early breakthroughs against South Africa The Australian skipper breached Wiaan Mulder's defence on Day 1 with a sharp delivery. He returned the next morning to remove his opposite number, Temba Bavuma, who was brilliantly taken at cover by a diving Marnus Labuschagne. But it was after lunch that Cummins truly came into his own. Just as South Africa looked to be building some momentum, he stepped up to tear through the middle order. He dismissed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the same over, then returned to remove the well-set David Bedingham and complete his five-wicket haul. Ahead of Day 3 Day 2 at Lord's mirrored the drama of the opening day, with another 14 wickets falling in quick succession. After being dismissed for just 138, South Africa came out with renewed aggression despite a wicketless start. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne weathered the early storm, putting on 28 runs in 10.1 overs. But Kagiso Rabada broke the partnership and then dismissed Cameron Green in the same over, sparking an Australian collapse. Lungi Ngidi, who had struggled in the first innings, made a strong comeback by removing Steve Smith, then followed up with the wickets of Beau Webster and Pat Cummins. From a steady 28/0, Australia slumped to 73/7 as South Africa seized control. However, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc mounted a crucial resistance, stitching together a 61-run stand that took Australia's lead beyond 200. By stumps, Australia were 144 for 8 — still ahead, but with South Africa breathing down their necks.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
WTC Final 2025: Australia leads South Africa by 218 runs after wickets tumble again on Day 2
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