Australia vs South Africa: The battle for the world Test championship at Lord's
6.44pm
Carey back to the scene of the crime
Alex Carey returns to Lord's for the first time since his controversial stumping of Englishman Johnny Bairstow.
The incident in the 2023 Ashes sparked uproar from the Lord's crowd, particularly the Members in the traditionally polite Long Room.
Carey later admitted the fallout of that incident took a toll on him, but was at ease recalling the Test this week at an Amazon Prime launch.
'Yeah, no spinner and still got a stumping so that was good in that Test match,' Carey joked, when recalling Nathan Lyon's absence in that Test's fourth innings.
Carey will be hoping the crowd is on his side during the WTC final.
6.44pm
'We know how to beat them'
Pace ace Kagiso Rabada was quick to declare the Proteas would not be afraid of the Australians.
Indeed, it's Rabada, and his pace and bounce, which will have Pat Cummins and his men on their toes.
'South Africa versus Australia has always been an intense rivalry, because we play cricket quite similar. We play hard – and they're going to come hard at us, and we know that,' Rabada said after Australia joined South Africa in qualifying for the decider.
'But we also know how to beat them.'
Rabada was cleared to play in the final after serving a one-month suspension in April for a positive drug test during South Africa's domestic T20 tournament in January.
Skipper Temba Bavuma missed South Africa's domestic four-day final in April because of an elbow issue but has been cleared to lead his nation.
6.44pm
Smith bats it away
Now here's something a little unusual. Not that long ago, putting the bat away for three months would have been unthinkable for Steve Smith.
But that is what the star batter did after Australia were eliminated from the Champions Trophy in March, the semi-final ending up being the last game of his ODI career.
A meticulous trainer, Smith used to need to hit hundreds of balls in the nets to feel ready to perform.
Coming off a golden summer, however, the 36-year-old has taken a minimalist approach to Australia's bid to win consecutive World Test Championship finals.
'I feel the first two hits have been really good,' a relaxed Smith said in London.
'I walked out of my first hit and told 'Ron' [Australia coach Andrew McDonald] straight away: 'Can we play tomorrow? I'm ready to go'.
'I hadn't hit a ball since I missed a full toss off Mohammed Shami in the Champions Trophy.
'I've hit so many balls over my career, what do they say, it's like riding a bike, I suppose, in a way.'
As he often does, Smith spent his downtime in his second home of New York, where he made use of his golf clubs.
AAP
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
World Test Championship final as it happened: South African top order crumble as Australian quicks fire late on day one
Latest posts Latest posts yesterday 3.08am Stumps: South Africa 4-43, trail Australia by 169 runs That's stumps. Bit going on! Fourteen wickets fell on day one of the World Test Championship final, with South Africa 4-43 in response to Australia's 212. They managed two boundaries off the final two deliveries of the day. Pat Cummins' men slumped to 4-67, fought their way back through gritty half centuries from Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72), before losing 5-20. Kagiso Rabada was fabulous, snaring 5-51 in his comeback Test after serving a drugs ban. Then it was Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood showing why they have been so dominant for so long. They produced so many good balls and were able to dry up South Africa's scoring to great effect. Cummins had the highest economy rate at two runs per over, which says it all. There's every chance this match won't be heading to a day five. A crucial day of cricket looms tomorrow, with Australia hunting more quick wickets. Thanks for joining. Make sure you check out our mastheads for all the latest news and analysis from Dan Brettig and Rob Harris at Lord's. See you tomorrow night. Cheers. yesterday 2.55am Hazlewood has Australia's fourth wicket Wow. Josh Hazlewood joins the party by bowling Tristan Stubbs for two. What a ball. In the corridor of uncertainty. Hits the seam and nips back in. Beaten all ends up. Magic stuff from Australia. South Africa 4-30 yesterday 2.47am We're into the final 15 minutes Can Australia jag another wicket? You wouldn't back against this pace trio, who have been on song. Nathan Lyon is also going to have a bowl. South Africa 3-29 yesterday 2.33am Cummins strikes with wicket of Mulder BOOM. Clean bowled. Wiaan Mulder plays all around a Cummins delivery and is clean bowled. He's gone for six from 44 balls. Australia right on top as the end of day one approaches. Superb stuff. South Africa 3-25 yesterday 2.30am Slow-going for South Africa as final half hour approaches Australia aren't bowling too many bad balls at the moment. Scoring is hard to come by for the Proteas. Cummins has 0-3 off four, while Josh Hazlewood now replaces Mitchell Starc, who finishes a magnificent spell of 2-10 from seven, including three maidens. South Africa are 2023 from 15 overs. Going so slow is fine - they're not in a rush given Australia were bowled out for 212 - but they do run the risk of not being able to gain a lot in the final 30 minutes. Because they are shutting up shop, more wickets could be potentially damaging. Maybe trying to take a few more runs on offer would be beneficial. yesterday 2.13am Bavuma almost dismissed Temba Bavuma survives an LBW scare to a Starc inswinger. Very close. The not out decision would have remained had the Aussies reviewed that. Great energy early from the 2023 WTC winners. South Africa 2-19 yesterday 1.58am Starc removes Rickelton as Australia pounce Pat Cummins starts his spell nicely, with plenty of deliveries in the corridor of uncertainty. At the other end, Starc is getting good away swing from the left-handed Ryan Rickelton. A little grin emerges after the South African plays and misses at one. BANG. Not that time. Rickelton gets a big edge and Usman Khawaja takes a sharp catch to his right. He's making his way back for 16 off 23 balls. Starc is doing the damage. South Africa in strife at 2-19 yesterday 1.49am How many first innings runs will South Africa make? yesterday 1.42am 'That is an absolute sitter': Carey misses simple chance Oh my goodness. Alex Carey has dropped one of the easiest catches you will ever see behind the stumps. You have to think the ball wobbled a bit after it took the edge of Wiaan Mulder's bat there. Can happen. But jeez, that was bad. Starc can't believe it. Stunned, not angry. yesterday 1.36am Starc and Hazlewood going to work Ryan Rickelton punches Starc down the ground for a boundary to get his innings going. At the other end, Josh Hazlewood is getting good momentum as he charges in to the crease. From all reports, Hazlewood bowled with excellent pace at the IPL. Appears to be in a decent rhythm as Australia search for wickets No.2 and No.3. If they can have South Africa three down early that will be massive. South Africa 1-7
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cummins reaches milestone in WTC final masterclass
Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Alex Carey and David Bedingham in ball-handling controversy in World Test Championship final
Alex Carey has found himself at the centre of controversy once again in his first trip back to Lord's since the infamous Jonny Bairstow stumping. Carey's successful stumping of Bairstow during the second innings of the Lord's Test in the 2023 Ashes sparked furious scenes in the Long Room, saw three Marylebone Cricket Club members banned and even prompted comment from then-British prime minister Rishi Sunak. And, back at the Home of Cricket, we almost saw similar scenes just before lunch on day two of the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa. In the final over of a first session that featured just one wicket, Beau Webster angled in at set batter David Bedingham, who appeared to edge into his thigh pads. The ball trickled down onto the top of his right pad, rolling off the right side of the flap. But before it could fall out and into the hands of Carey, who had swept around from behind the stumps to try and claim a catch, Bedingham plucked the ball out and threw it onto the pitch. After a sheepish stare between Carey and Bedingham, a few Australian players, chiefly Usman Khawaja, politely asked the question to umpire Richard Illingworth. Illingworth, after a consultation with fellow umpire Chris Gaffaney, signalled that the ball was dead when Bedingham grabbed it. Former Australia Test opener Matthew Hayden appeared to agree in commentary for Prime Video, saying as he watched the ball briefly catch between Bedingham's thighs on a slow-motion replay: "That moment there it's actually dead, when it remains still." But co-commentators Ian Smith and Stuart Broad, the England seamer who famously criticised Carey and captain Pat Cummins for not withdrawing their appeal for Bairstow's wicket two years ago, were not so sure of Bedingham's innocence. "I wonder if Alex Carey just said 'I'm not getting involved'," Broad said as Australia's wicketkeeper chuckled on his way back to the stumps after a brief chat with Bedingham. "I think what we're looking for here is, if there's been an inside edge, Carey was running around and would've been able to catch the ball. 'Handled the ball' was removed as an official means of dismissal in cricket in 2017, but there are provisions under obstructing the field for the sort of actions Bedingham made that could have seen him dismissed. Law 37.3.1 states: 'The striker is out [for] obstructing the field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker being out caught.' And 37.4 says: "Either batter is out [for] obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder." Ultimately, no-one was too het up about the incident and moved on pretty quickly as Bedingham clattered two boundaries to take his team to lunch with his wicket intact.
