Epic WTC25 Final headed to thrilling climax after sensational second day
Fourteen wickets fell yet again on day two at Lord's as bowlers continued to dominate the Ultimate Test.
Proteas pacers fire back after Cummins’ fiery spell | Day 2 Highlights | WTC25 Final
South Africa pacers reply back with the ball after Australia captain Pat Cummins registered a historic six-fer on Day 2.
By Jonathan Healy, at Lord's
The ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's remains up for grabs, after Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi responded strongly to Pat Cummins' six-wicket haul on a thrilling second day's play at Lord's on Thursday.
Cummins' superb spell helped rout South Africa for just 138 and saw Australia take a lead of 74 on the first innings, but the Proteas' quicks fired up in reply as Rabada and Ngidi combined for six wickets to leave the Aussies reeling at 144/8 in their second dig heading into the third day on Friday.
They boast an overall lead of 218, with Mitchell Starc (16) and Nathan Lyon (1) to resume on day three with the World Test Championship Final still in the balance.
Bavuma smashes first six of the Test | WTC25 Final
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma continues the early onslaught on Day 2 with a splendid pull shot for six off his Australia counterpart Pat Cummins.
When Cummins ripped through South Africa's batting order early on the second day, it looked like Australia were well on their way to winning a second consecutive World Test Championship mace.
But South Africa's quicks showed plenty of fight, with Rabada once again leading the way and Ngidi feeding off his energy to join in on the party as Australia's top-order succumbed to some high-class bowling.
Rabada collected a five-wicket haul in the first innings when Australia mustered what now looks a good total of 212, and the South Africa pace spearhead was at his brilliant best yet again as he removed Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in quick succession to give the Proteas hope.
Left-armer Marco Jansen got Labuschagne (22) to nick one and then Ngidi got the massive wicket of Steve Smith (13) to reduce Australia to 48/4 and the rot deepened further when Travis Head (9) was bowled by Wiaan Mulder as the Proteas found some more belief.
Australia fell to 73/7 and it took a late rearguard from Alex Carey (41) and Starc in the final hour to steady the ship for Australia as the World Test Championship Final remained well poised after yet another day of non-stop action.
Labuschagne's spectacular catch removes Bavuma | WTC25 Final
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne takes a diving catch as Temba Bavuma falls on Day 2 of the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Earlier, Cummins finished with figures of 6/28 - the third best effort of his Test career - as South Africa were skittled for just 138 to hand Australia a 78-run lead on the first innings.
It was Cummins' 14th five-wicket haul in Tests and ninth as captain, taking up past Indian great Bishan Bedi and up to equal second on the list for the most Test cricket five-fors as captain.
Cummins bowled superbly throughout his long spell on Thursday, varying his pace and length with great skill and plenty of thought as South Africa's batting line-up was outclassed in reply to Australia's first innings total of 212.
South African counterpart Temba Bavuma (36) gave his side brief momentum during the morning session until he was undone by a superb catch by Labuschagne, while No.6 David Bedingham played well for his contribution of 45.
Only two other South Africa batters made it into double figures, with the Australian bowling line-up - led superbly by Cummins - upping the pressure when required, only to see their advantage pegged back by the Proteas in a tight contest in north London.
Carey's defiant resistance brings AUS back in the game | WTC25 Final
Alex Carey leads Australia's fight back after South Africa pacers wreak havoc in the second innings at Lord's.
The match ends what has been a gripping World Test Championship cycle, where the Proteas won seven straight Test matches to seal their spot in the decider, while Australia are looking to become the first team to claim back-to-back championships, with the concept commencing in 2019.
South Africa XI: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Wiaan Mulder, 4. Temba Bavuma (c), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. David Bedingham, 7. Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Lungi Ngidi
Australia XI: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood
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