In one of the most defining moments of his Test career, Mitchell Starc showcased his grit with the bat as Australia posted 207 in their second innings on Day 3 of the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s, setting a target of 282 runs for the Proteas to chase in their bid for a historic ICC title.
Resuming Day 3 at 144/8, Australia were hanging by a thread, but Starc—who started on 16—dug deep to produce a memorable unbeaten knock of 58 runs, batting with tailender Josh Hazlewood to stitch a resilient 59-run partnership for the 10th wicket. Their effort not only frustrated the South African bowlers but also pushed Australia’s lead from a decent cushion to a match-defining challenge.
Starc Creates History with the Bat
Starc’s innings wasn’t just match-defining, it was historic. He became the first-ever batter at No.9 or below to score a half-century in an ICC knockout match across all formats. This 58* also marked his eighth Test fifty from the No.9 position or lower, making him the most successful lower-order batter in this regard, surpassing England’s Stuart Broad, who has six.
His knock came under immense pressure, against a charged South African pace attack, on a pitch that had already shown signs of uneven bounce. The left-hander played with composure, discipline, and a clear plan—soaking pressure early and accelerating just when needed.
South Africa’s Missed Opportunity
South Africa began the morning with a great chance to wrap up Australia’s second innings quickly. Kagiso Rabada struck early, dismissing Nathan Lyon for 2 in the third over of the day, extending his fiery form from Day 2. Rabada ended with 4/59, underlining his stature as one of the best bowlers in the world, and also climbed up as South Africa’s fifth-leading wicket-taker across formats.
But Hazlewood’s surprising resistance (17 off 53 balls) gave Starc the company he needed. Their gritty stand brought up a fifty partnership in the 64th over, frustrating South African efforts to clean up the tail.
Earlier: Carey’s Grit, Cummins’ Fire
Day 2 had already seen a gutsy 43 from Alex Carey, whose resistance helped Australia recover from a shaky 102/6. His dismissal by Rabada late on Day 2 had given South Africa a glimmer of hope, but Starc’s Day 3 heroics shut that down quickly.
In Australia’s first innings, they posted 212, with Pat Cummins leading the charge with the ball, claiming 6/28—a performance that handed Australia a slender first-innings lead.
Now or Never for the Proteas
South Africa now face a target of 282, a daunting chase especially under the pressure of a final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. They’ll need their top order—especially Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, who impressed with 36 and 45 respectively in the first innings—to step up big time.
But with Australia aiming to defend their WTC crown, the task for the Proteas is steep. Their batters must now face a fierce Aussie attack led by Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, on a pitch that’s already worn and offering plenty to the seamers.
For South Africa, this is more than just a chase—it’s a shot at ending their longstanding ICC title drought. For Australia, it’s a golden opportunity to affirm their dominance in the red-ball format.
Brief Scorecard
Australia – 212 & 207 (Mitchell Starc 58*, Alex Carey 43; Kagiso Rabada 4/59)
South Africa – 143 all out (David Bedingham 45, Temba Bavuma 36; Pat Cummins 6/28)
Target for South Africa: 282 runs
What to Watch For
Can South Africa rewrite history and claim their maiden ICC crown?
Will the Australian pace trio repeat their first innings heroics?
Is a final-day thriller at Lord’s in the making?
