Australia lead as Cummins, Rabada, Ngidi shine on thrilling Day 2

For two hours on day two, Australia seemed to tighten their grip on the World Test Championship mace, having earned a 74-run first-innings lead at Lord’s. But South Africa responded fiercely, clawing back momentum before Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc steadied Australia again with a vital 61-run stand for the eighth wicket. As the day ended, Australia remained slightly ahead in a tense, see-sawing contest.

It was another dominant day for the bowlers — 14 wickets fell, matching the haul from day one, making it 28 wickets over just six sessions.

Pat Cummins was the star early on, becoming the first visiting captain to take a five-wicket haul at Lord’s and reaching his 300th Test scalp. But South Africa fought back through Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, reducing Australia to 44/3. Lungi Ngidi, returning to Test cricket after 10 months and struggling in the first innings, redeemed himself with a superb three-wicket spell.

By the day’s end, South Africa were staring at a daunting task — to chase down what would be the fourth-highest successful run-chase at Lord’s, all while battling Australia’s formidable bowling lineup. Advantage Australia, but only slightly, after a dramatic and fast-paced day of Test cricket.

Earlier in the day, South Africa resumed on 43/4, trailing by 169 runs. Temba Bavuma, having crawled to 3 off 37 overnight, began to find fluency. He struck a couple of elegant lofted drives off Starc and looked increasingly assured. On 17, he was given out LBW to Josh Hazlewood — but to everyone’s shock, including his own, a review revealed an inside edge. Bavuma capitalised, dispatching Hazlewood and Starc through the covers and even launching Cummins into the stands, suggesting he was ready to anchor the innings — until Australia struck again.