Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood not only held off the South African attack but also made history with their impressive batting during the WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s.
Mitchell Starc And Josh Hazlewood Heroics Rescue Australia
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood stitched a crucial 59-run stand to lift Australia out of trouble in their second innings against South Africa. From a shaky 134/8, the pair took the score to 207, boosting Australia’s overall lead to 281 runs on Day 3 of the WTC Final 2025, after their 74-run first-innings lead.
After Australia dropped to 134/8, Starc and Hazlewood stood strong and took the score to 207, stretching their lead to 281 runs, after already being ahead by 74 in the first innings on Day 3 of the WTC Final 2025.
Record-Breaking Partnership Under Pressure
Their brave 59-run partnership not only frustrated South Africa but also set two records; it’s now the fifth-highest 10th-wicket stand by a visiting team at Lord’s and the highest ever 10th-wicket partnership in any men’s ICC final.
Starc has made history with his fighting knock in the WTC Final 2025. Scoring an unbeaten 58 off 136 balls, he now holds the record for the most 50-plus scores by a batter at No. 9 or lower in Test cricket. This was Starc’s 8th 50+ score in that position – more than anyone else in Test history.
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Mitchell Starc’s 58\* made him the only batter besides Stuart Broad with five 50+ scores at No. 9 or lower in England. He once again rescued Australia with the bat, just like in the 2023 WTC Final.
It was also the first time this century that Australia scored 150+ after being 7 down for under 75.
This is only the second time Australia has scored 150+ after being 7 down for under 75 against South Africa, and the fifth time it’s happened in a Test in England.
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South Africa now needs 282 runs to win their first ICC title in 20 years. It’s a tough ask, but they’ve chased 250+ in Tests five times—three of those wins came against Australia, including the famous 414-run chase in Perth in 2008.
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