WTC FINAL: Test in the balance, but Proteas confident

David Bedingham’s top score of 45 kept South Africa within touching distance – just about – of Australia’s first innings of 212 in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Thursday but, despite being bowled out for just 138 in reply, South Africa restricted the reigning champions to 144-8 by the close of the second day.

A lead of 218 runs with two wickets remaining is far from insurmountable.

“It is an amazing chance and we are very excited about the opportunity to win,” Bedingham said after the close of play.

“It could go either way but there is a lot of belief. We are very confident, the batters will have their individual plans ready for the innings.

“It was an amazing day of cricket and when they started batting in the third innings, we would have taken them at what is effectively 220 for eight. We are confident and there is massive belief in this team.”

Bedingham said the Proteas were “lucky to have” Lungi Ngidi in their team after the fast bowler cast off a listless first innings with a match-changing nine-over spell of 3-35 which started with the prized wicket of Steve Smith.

Three wickets and counting 😤🇿🇦

Lungi Ngidi is a hot commodity right now 🥵🌶️

📺 Stream #WTC25 on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/mxSfW2zvi5
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 12, 2025

Ngidi echoed the sentiments of Bedingham: “It's in the balance right now, two wickets in hand, but if we can knock those over and maybe chase 225, people are going to get their money's worth,” Ngidi said.

“I guess that's what a Test Championship final should bring. A lot of guys have put their hands up. It's been really exciting and tough cricket out there. We were very disappointed not to get close to Australia's total but we were up against a world-class attack so I give credit where credit's due. They bowled well.

“But when we started bowling (in the second innings) we realised there was enough in the wicket to bring it closer. Finding a bit of rhythm was all I was looking to do. If you told me this is the position we'd be in at the end of the day, I'd definitely have taken it.”

As Ngidi praised the opposition bowlers, Bedingham acknowledged Pat Cummins brilliant return of 6-28 which took him to exactly 300 test wickets, just the eighth Australian to do so.

Pat Cummins completed 300 wickets with a 6-fer in the final.

The man for the big occasions leading from the front and has one hand on another trophy. pic.twitter.com/Wr2Io16VuK
— Punter (@Rizziverse) June 12, 2025

“There is always energy in every ball he bowls. He bowled 18 overs and his energy from over one to 18 was the same, he has a good bouncer and all the skills you need, he is world-class,” Bedingham said.

“None of the Australians gave us bad balls, the boundaries we hit were off good balls. But that is why they’re the best in the world. Hopefully we can counteract it and win the World Test Championship.”

The ever-modest Cummins, for once, allowed himself a gentle pat on the back: “It’s really cool, especially knowing there are not too many on that list," he said.

“Being a fast bowler, 300 is something I always thought about as a pretty good sign of durability, resilience and longevity. I feel pretty proud to join that group.”

Interestingly, the Australian captain did not pretend that his team were in the ascendancy – yet.

“If we can get another 20 or 30 in the morning, it would give us a few more options to bowl, a few more aggressive fields and those kind of things,” he said. “We’ll see how we go but we’re happy for it (the lead) to be over 200. The mood in the changing room was pretty positive towards the end there. “