The Final of the World Test Championship between Australia and South Africa has taken a crucial turn at Lord’s as the defending champions have taken a massive 218-run lead over the Proteas, although they have lost eight wickets in the second innings. Mitchell Starc is yet to be dismissed with 16 runs under his belt, and he is accompanied by Nathan Lyon as Australia aim to pad their lead on Day 3 of this historic Test.
The lower-order resistance has emerged to be quite significant in Australia in the WTC Final. Given that the score reading 144/8 at the end of play on Thursday, each run scored by the tail-enders is having a huge effect on the fourth-innings target of South Africa. Starc, with his belligerent batting style, has displayed great patience with Lyon, who has contributed only a single run, but offers immense experience when it comes to dealing with pressure.
The combination of these experienced campaigners is the last chance of developing an insurmountable lead by the Australians. The weather forecast at Lord’s is currently batting-friendly as the temperature is set to be higher and the skies clearer than on Thursday, when conditions were extremely tough with 14 wickets falling on the day.
Proteas’ pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will come back with renewed vigor and passion to dismiss the Australian innings as soon as possible. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj have played key roles in destroying the middle order of Australia, and they can apply further pressure, which would be crucial in restricting the target.
South Africa will plan to make sure that a collaboration between Starc and Lyon does not thrive. The African champions know that each extra run increases their fourth-innings target, and especially so under the pressure of a World Test Championship Final at the Home of Cricket.
Historic WTC Final Context Adds Pressure
This final has a massive consequence for both sides. South Africa qualified for the WTC Final due to an incredible seven-match winning streak, and it will be their debut in this showpiece. Their trip to Lord’s is the result of years of reconstruction and tactics under the leadership of Captain Temba Bavuma.
Australia, on the other hand, would look to make history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Test Championship titles. Launched in 2019, the concept has floor different teams to battle it out to win the ultimate Test in cricket, with none yet able to retain the title.
Day 3 Predictions and Team Compositions
The Friday morning session will probably set the course of the match. Should Australia manage to score an additional 50-70 runs off their last wicket collaboration, then South Africa will need to chase a total of more than 280 runs in their second innings. On the other hand, a dismissal of the tail swiftly might result in the Proteas pursuing a total that is easier to achieve.
The playing eleven of Australia has some of the established campaigners in Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and the captain Pat Cummins, whereas South Africa has trusted the balance of the mixture with the inclusion of Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and the dynamic David Bedingham.
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