SA strikes back after Cummins' heroics

Express Tribune

a day ago

Australia captain Pat Cummins produced a sensational spell of four wickets for just one run in the World Test Championship final before Kagiso Rabada struck twice to keep South Africa in the game on Thursday.
South Africa were bowled out for 138 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 212 on the second day at Lord's.
Cummins finished with figures of 6-28 as he reached 300 career Test wickets.
South Africa lost their last five wickets for 12 runs, with a farcical run out not helping their cause, as Cummins ripped through the lower order on his way to a 14th five-wicket haul in 68 Tests and first at Lord's.
Only South Africa captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) offered meaningful resistance during a fifth-wicket stand of 64.
But fast bowler Rabada, who had taken an impressive 5-51 in the first innings on Wednesday, stuck twice in the 11th over of Australia's second innings.
He had opener Usman Khawaja caught behind for six and, two balls later, he removed Cameron Green for a duck as Australia wobbled.
Green's exit meant the number three had faced just five balls in the match for a total of four runs.
At tea, Australia were 32-2 — an overall lead of 106 — with Marnus Labuschagne, in his first Test as an opener, 16 not out and Steve Smith unbeaten on four.
The dominance of bowlers on both sides was reflected in a second session when the teams managed a combined total of just 49 runs for the loss of seven wickets between them.
After lunch, Australian skipper Cummins struck four times in just 17 balls of devastating pace bowling.
South Africa had resumed on Thursday at 43-4, battling to put enough runs on the board.
Bavuma, who had 37 balls for his overnight three not out, changed gears as he struck a superb lofted cover-drive off left-arm quick Mitchell Starc for four and later pulled Cummins for a six.
Cummins had his revenge when Bavuma's checked drive was brilliantly caught at cover by a diving Labuschagne.
In the last over before lunch, Bedingham struck two fours off Beau Webster to take South Africa to 121-5.
Wickets tumbled early in the second session, with Cummins claiming two scalps in an over in the third over after lunch.
Cummins had Kyle Verreynne lbw for 13 and, three balls later, he held a simple return catch as Marco Jansen fell for a duck, with South Africa reduced 126-7.
Cummins then had Bedingham caught behind by Alex Carey to end a 111-ball innings before Keshav Maharaj was needlessly run out.
Cummins ended the innings with his 300th Test wicket, Rabada well caught low down at deep square leg by Webster.
The bowler received a standing ovation as he led his side off the field.
That reception was a marked contrast to the boos that echoed round Lord's two years ago after Cummins refused to withdraw an appeal following Alex Carey's controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow during an Ashes Test when the England batsman thought the ball was dead.
His five-wicket haul on Thursday means Cummins will have a coveted place on the Lord's honours board in he famous Pavilion.