Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi breathed life into South Africa’s pursuit of a dramatic victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, as Australia collapsed to 73/7 in their second innings at Lord’s on Thursday. Earlier, Pat Cummins had delivered a sensational spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 1 run to dismantle South Africa for 138 in response to Australia’s modest first-innings total of 212.

Despite trailing by 74, South Africa roared back into the contest. Rabada, who had already impressed with a 5/51 haul in the first innings, struck twice in a fiery 11th over. He dismissed Usman Khawaja for six, caught behind, before trapping Cameron Green for a duck just two balls later. Green, who had scored just four runs from five deliveries across both innings, endured a forgettable outing.

Post-tea, Australia’s innings unraveled further. Ngidi removed Steve Smith for 13 via an lbw decision upheld on review, and dismissed Beau Webster, Australia’s top-scorer in the first innings with 72, also lbw. Webster had previously benefitted from a missed review that could have seen him depart for just eight runs in the first innings.