“I’m not sure which camp I would want to be in,” says Kevin Pietersen on the coverage.
Pat Cummins’ six-wicket haul helped him join the magic 300 club but South Africa’s industrious bowling display allowed them to storm back into an absorbing contest and raise questions of Australia’s fragile top order.
Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of David Bedingham. Getty Images
Cricket fans with tickets on Saturday might not get to use them after this World Test Championship final moved rapidly on another day when 14 wickets fell.
Australia finished the day on, 8-144, leading by 218 runs. History shows only three teams have chased more runs at Lord’s in the fourth innings to win a Test.
Make sure you check out our mastheads for all the latest news and analysis from Daniel Brettig at Lord’s.
See you tomorrow. Cheers.
3.00am on Jun 13, 2025
Carey is out for 43
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A fine innings of 43 from 50 balls comes to an end for Carey.
Rabada finds the knee roll of Carey’s front pad. Replays show the ball would have been going onto hit leg stump (umpire’s call).
Great dig from Carey at a really critical time in the match. Deserved a half century.
Australia 8-134, lead by 208 runs
Alex Carey bats at Lord’s. Getty Images
2.49am on Jun 13, 2025
Carey and Starc bring up the 50-run partnership
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This partnership is now 50 runs. Super important in the context of the match.
A catch almost carries to the keeper. Carey a little fortunate there as Rabada continues to come off the long run.
Stumps getting closer. It couldn’t come quick enough for the Aussies.
BANG. Carey punches Rabada back past him for four. Shot of real intent.
Australia 7-124, lead by 198 runs
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2.44am on Jun 13, 2025
What a venue
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Starc gets into double figures while Carey is showing an appetite to hit straight.
Carey is the rock of this innings.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: A general view during match play on day two of the ICC World Test Championship final. Getty Images
2.38am on Jun 13, 2025
Carey survives a review
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Jansen thinks he’s trapped Carey in front but the not out decision is not overturned.
Next ball, Carey rocks backs and creams a cover drive on the up to the rope. Gorgeous shot and a sign of intent coming into the last few overs of the day.
Australia 7-105
2.31am on Jun 13, 2025
Carey and Starc are digging in
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With about 45 minutes remaining in the day, this pair will be desperate to be there at stumps.
This has been sensational bowling from South Africa on many fronts.
They are attacking the stumps and really pulling back their length. There is enough nibble off the seam to throw doubt into the minds of Australia’s batsmen.
Several balls have taken the edge but they are falling short, prompting the South African slips cordon to come forward a little.
At 2-44, things were looking rosy in Australian camp.
Now it’s 7-82 and the WTC is really up for grabs, with Australia leading by 156 runs.
Alex Carey’s batting has come on markedly in Tests since he began and what a story it would be if he could return to Lord’s - given everything that happened in 2023 - and win a Test for Australia with the game on the line.
Great game, cricket.
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia walks off. Getty Images
1.51am on Jun 13, 2025
Cummins hits out and then gets bowled
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Pat Cummins is happy to get on with business by rocking back and smashing a cover drive to the rope.
Australia could be bowling tonight.
As I type that, Cummins is also making his way back to the pavilion. A full ball from Ngidi deflects off Cummins’ pads and onto the stumps.
Australian fans at Lord’s seem stunned.
1.44am on Jun 13, 2025
Australia in major trouble as Head departs
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“What are we seeing unfold here?!”
Matt Hayden isn’t wrong in commentary as Travis Head is bowled for nine after a slight deviation off his front pad. Plays all around a good length delivery from Mulder around the wicket.
Never looked comfortable. Stunning cricket on show.