One thing about Pat Cummins is that he knows how to walk the talk. The Australian Test captain led by example as he put his side on the path to another ICC tournament triumph. On Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it was Cummins who turned the game decisively in Australia's favour.
The fast bowler finished with remarkable figures of 6 for 28 in South Africa's first innings 〞 a spell that not only swung the match but also saw him reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets and surpass an Indian legend on an elite list.
It was a landmark performance as Pat Cummins etched his name into the history books, becoming only the fourth captain to claim a five-wicket haul in an innings at the iconic venue. He went one step further by taking the final wicket, becoming the first-ever captain to take six wickets in a single innings at the venue.?
His heroics also saw him become the first captain to take a five-wicket haul in an ICC final, further cementing his reputation as a leader who delivers in big moments. With this spell, he extended his record for the most five-wicket hauls by a Test captain.?
This marked Cummins's 14th five-for in Test cricket 〞 a milestone that firmly places him among the game's elite. He surpassed Indian great Bishan Singh Bedi and drew level with Richie Benaud with nine five-fors as captain, the second-highest tally in Test history behind Pakistan's Imran Khan, who leads the list with 12.?
For the first time in Test cricket history, a bowling attack featured three players with 300 or more wickets. Pat Cummins joined Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in reaching the milestone, forming a historic trio in Australia's current lineup. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood isn't far behind, sitting on 280 wickets.
The Australian skipper breached Wiaan Mulder's defence on Day 1 with a sharp delivery. He returned the next morning to remove his opposite number, Temba Bavuma, who was brilliantly taken at cover by a diving Marnus Labuschagne.
But it was after lunch that Cummins truly came into his own. Just as South Africa looked to be building some momentum, he stepped up to tear through the middle order. He dismissed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the same over, then returned to remove the well-set David Bedingham and complete his five-wicket haul.?
Day 2 at Lord's mirrored the drama of the opening day, with another 14 wickets falling in quick succession. After being dismissed for just 138, South Africa came out with renewed aggression despite a wicketless start. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne weathered the early storm, putting on 28 runs in 10.1 overs.?
But Kagiso Rabada broke the partnership and then dismissed Cameron Green in the same over, sparking an Australian collapse. Lungi Ngidi, who had struggled in the first innings, made a strong comeback by removing Steve Smith, then followed up with the wickets of Beau Webster and Pat Cummins.?
From a steady 28/0, Australia slumped to 73/7 as South Africa seized control. However, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc mounted a crucial resistance, stitching together a 61-run stand that took Australia＊s lead beyond 200.?
By stumps, Australia were 144 for 8 〞 still ahead, but with South Africa breathing down their necks.