Day two saw 14 wickets fall at Lord’s in the World Test Championship final between the Proteas and Australia. Ongama Gcwabe highlights the Plays of the Day…
Positive intent
For a side that had vowed to take the positive approach with the bat since coach Shukri Conrad took over two years ago, recording 43/4 in 22 overs on the opening day was certainly contrary.
However, when Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham took to the middle on day two, they showed positive intent, taking full advantage when opportunities came.
Bavuma’s pull shot for six off Pat Cummins was the only six in the match, a feat that shows just how positive the Proteas batters were on day two.
Game-changer
After a poor performance with the ball on the opening day, Lungi Ngidi bounced back with a game-changing spell.
In his spell, the quick removed Steve Smith, Beau Webster and Pat Cummins to break the game open and hand the Proteas a massive advantage.
The moment the tides turned 👀
Lungi Ngidi produces a moment of magic to get the crucial wicket of Steve Smith 🪄#SAvAUS #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/jih5zDwJmh
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2025
Ball
There is just something special about a right-arm quick bowling around the wicket to a left-handed batter.
Kagiso Rabada employed this tactic against Australia’s opening batter Usman Khawaja and got the outside edge on day two, dismissing the left-hander twice in the match in the same manner.
The ball pitched in the off-stump line and slightly moved away from the left-hander, taking the edge and handing the Proteas their first scalp on day two.
Review
Steve Smith’s half-century in the first innings painted a vivid picture of just how dangerous the right-handed batter is.
When Lungi Ngidi trapped him in front, it was sent upstairs, and it came out in favour of South Africa, with Australia’s most dangerous batter sent back to the pavilion.
No-balls
Despite having done a remarkable job with the ball at Lord’s, the Proteas fast bowlers have recorded 18 no-balls in the Test match.
Given the low-scoring nature of the game, 18 no-balls could be a match-defining feat.
It was not the first time the quicks bowled many no-balls in a Test as they have struggled with the problem throughout the WTC cycle.
Pat Cummins’ six-for
When Kagiso Rabada ripped through the Australian batting unit with his 16th Test five-for, Australia needed their captain to stand up, and boy did he stand up on day two.
Cummins recorded 6/28 in 18.1 overs, a performance that secured a potentially match-defining 74-run lead for Australia.
