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Australia leads South Africa by 218 runs after wickets tumble again on Day 2 of WTC final
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South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, right, celebrates the dismissal of Australia's Alex Carey, left, on day two of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Thursday, June 12, 2025. - photo by AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
LONDON (AP) — A low-scoring World Test Championship final was heading to a thrilling conclusion after Australia took a 74-run first-innings lead before being reduced to 144-8 by South Africa by the close of Day 2 at Lord’s on Thursday. It was a landmark day for Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took 6-28 to get to 300 wickets in his test career and dismiss the Proteas for 138 following a whirlwind hour after lunch when the Baggy Greens claimed South Africa's last five batters for 12 runs in 5.5 overs. A test dominated by pace bowling continued in that vein in Australia’s second innings, with Kagiso Rabada — who took 5-51 to help restrict the Australians to 212 all out on Day 1 — again removing Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in one over before Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, including dangerman Steve Smith (13), in an inspired spell.