WTC Final 2025: Australia in driving seat, lead South Africa by 218 at stumps on Day 2

Australia solidified their dominant position in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's on Thursday, ending Day 2 with a commanding lead of 218 runs. Spearheaded by captain Pat Cummins, the Australian bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, restricting South Africa's batsmen and ensuring their team's upper hand in this crucial encounter. The day's play witnessed strategic field placements and incisive bowling, which consistently put the South African lineup under pressure. In response to Australia's first-innings total, South Africa struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite a few resilient partnerships, the Proteas couldn't match the Australians' intensity and skill. Key contributions from the Australian pace attack, including crucial breakthroughs by Cummins himself, kept South Africa on the back foot. This relentless pressure ultimately resulted in Australia gaining a significant lead by the end of the day. As the match progresses, Australia appears well-positioned to capitalize on their advantage and push for victory. With a substantial lead in hand, they will likely aim to extend it further in the coming days, putting South Africa in a challenging position to mount a comeback. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are keenly watching to see if South Africa can counter Australia's dominance and turn the tide in this high-stakes final.

— Authored by Next24 Live